This project allows Valley Water to continue responding to requests for cleanup of illegal dumping, trash and graffiti on Valley Water’s property and rights-of-way. Cleanup efforts include graffiti removal from floodwalls, concrete embankments, signs, structures and other Valley Water assets, as well as maintaining, repairing and installing fences and gates so that Valley Water structures and facilities remain safe and clean. The project also includes quarterly cleanups of problem trash sites to help reduce waterway pollution and keep creeks and riparian areas free of debris. The project also funds installation and maintenance of public art projects, such as murals, to beautify Valley Water property and infrastructure, to help deter graffiti and litter.
Graffiti and Litter Removal
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (FY24), Quarter 1, (July 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023)
- Serviced 86 identified graffiti hotspots on a bi-weekly basis, removing 20,965 square feet of graffiti. Frequent visits to these hotspots are important to discourage and deter graffiti activities.
- Removed 13,463 square feet of graffiti from sites based on inspection or public complaints.
- Serviced routine hotspots for a total of 95 trash and debris cleanups.
- A total of 2.44 tons (34.16 cubic yards) of trash and debris were removed.
- Valley Water received 55 complaints regarding illegal dumping and trash, and 25 complaints regarding graffiti All unplanned graffiti and litter cleanups due to public complaints or new work found during inspections were responded to within an average of 3 working days.
Public Art
- In FY24, Valley Water continued to develop a Public Art Strategic Plan with the help of a consultant. The strategic plan will serve as a guiding document for the next 15 years to help Valley Water identify and prioritize public art opportunities as well as install and maintain public art projects. These projects will beautify Valley Water's property and infrastructure while helping to deter graffiti and litter.
- To date, the consultant has conducted a series of external stakeholder meetings, including a hybrid community meeting and an online survey, to collect input from the public. In addition, they conducted a two-day site visit to perform an opportunity assessment and identify potential sites for public art installations. The Strategic Plan is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2024.
October 2023
For more information:
Graffiti and Litter Removal
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Ryan Tregoning, (408) 630-3195
Public Art
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Kristen Yasukawa, (408) 630-2876
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Email – [email protected] | Hotline - (408) 630-3261
- Learn about our Public Art Program
FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Cleanup identified trash and graffiti hotspots at approximately 80 sites four (4) times per year.
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Respond to requests on litter or graffiti cleanup within five (5) working days.
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Provide up to $1.5 million over 15 years to implement public art projects on Valley Water property and infrastructure.
Benefits
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Reduces trash and contaminants in local waterways
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Improves the appearance of waterways in neighborhoods and parks by removing trash, graffiti and litter as well as illegally dumped items, such as cars, shopping carts, appliances, etc.
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Reduces illegal dumping into or near waterways by repairing and installing fencing on Valley Water property
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Provides coordinated response to community complaints about trash and graffiti in neighborhoods along waterways
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Helps deter graffiti and litter by implementing public art projects to beautify Valley Water property and infrastructure
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water Program will continue to provide approximately $47 million annually for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities we serve in Santa Clara County.
While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, which are:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways
Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community
Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.
To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board. Additionally, the IMC also reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.
In addition, the program requires three independent audits.