This project allows Valley Water to continue responding to complaints about illegal dumping, trash and graffiti on Valley Water property and rights-of-way. Cleanup efforts include graffiti removal from headwalls, 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 sites to help reduce waterway pollution and keep creeks and riparian areas free of debris.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, through Quarter 3 (July 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021)
- Removed 73,881square feet of graffiti through FY21 Q3.
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Removed 1,493 cubic yards of trash and debris during 3 litter cleanup events.
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Average response time across all cases: 1 day
Updated April 2021
Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Conduct 60 cleanup events (4 per year).
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Respond to requests on litter or graffiti cleanup within 5 working days.
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
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This Program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.
The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways
Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.
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.
In addition, the Program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.