Caltrain commits to water conservation

In April, California Governor Jerry Brown declared that his state’s severe draught ended, but asked citizens to make water conservation a way of life. Caltrain is playing its part by adding a Storm Water Management Program to its sustainability initiatives.

“Storm water is more important than we often realize,” Caltrain stresses. “When rain falls on our cities, it often picks up pollutants on its way to the storm drain system and eventually San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Unlike our toilet, sink, and shower water, storm water doesn’t go through a treatment plant, so pollutants may not be removed before the water reaches the Bay. Those storm water pollutants impact our natural areas, wildlife, and ultimately us.”

Caltrain has implemented several practices to reduce the flow of pollutants from its rail system:

• Convenient, single-stream trash collection facilities on trains and in stations.

• Stepped-up, regular trash and debris pickups along the rail corridor.

• Storm drain inlet marking to raise awareness of the storm drain system.

• Green landscaping that can filter storm water pollution before it reaches a storm sewer.

• Storm water pollution awareness and prevention education for employees and Caltrain riders.

“Every effort counts and together we are making a difference,” Caltrain says, urging riders to “find out more about projects that help reduce storm water pollution and explore other ways that you can help by visiting the Caltrain Storm Water Program webpage.”