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1. What's the problem with fire sprinkler flushing?

California Code of Regulations (Title 19, Chapter 5, Article 4) requires that automatic fire sprinkler systems be serviced every 5 years. This process may involve draining and flushing the water from the pipes. Unfortunately, the water flushed from the pipes is stagnant and stale, and may contain bacteria and pollutants such as metals leached into the water from the sprinkler system.

When this water is flushed from the sprinklers, it is generally discharged directly from the building and onto the parking lot, where it may flow into the storm drain system and/or receiving waters such as a creek or lake.

The City of Poway is required per Municipal Permit 2007-0001 from the State Water Resources Control Board to prohibit discharges to storm drains and receiving waters, as well as to manage water quality. The city is also required per the Jurisdictional Urban Runoff Management Program to prohibit pollutant discharges to a storm drain conveyance system. In addition, the Poway Municipal Code, Section 13.09.020, also prohibits non-storm water discharges.

2. What is allowed into storm drains? What happens when water is discharged from a fire sprinkler system?

Legally, only storm water may enter the storm drain system.

When water is discharged directly from the fire sprinkler system and flows along the parking lot, it picks up urban pollution, such as oil, grease, sediment, trash, brake dust, etc., which will flow with it into the storm drain system.

Storm drains are not connected to sanitary sewer systems or treatment plants. The primary purpose of storm drains is to carry rainwater away from developed areas to prevent flooding. Disposing of materials into storm drains, either directly or indirectly, causes serious ecological problems — and is prohibited by law.

3. What does this mean for me? How can I comply?

Industrial and commercial businesses must not allow the water released during a 5-year Fire Sprinkler Certification to flow into the storm drain system and/or receiving waters such as a creek or lake, nor should it drain into the sewer system.

You can comply by ensuring that your business does not discharge this water into the storm drain or sewer system.

One way to comply could be contacting a waste management disposal company that, for a fee, will contain the water and discharge it to a legal discharge station. The City of Poway does not recommend or endorse any specific company, nor does it charge any additional fees.

There may be other solutions, and the city is open to other ideas that still maintain compliance. Please call 858-668-4653 if you have any questions or would like additional information.

4. Whom can I contact to ask questions or report illegal dumping?

For more information, please call 858-668-4653.

To report illegal dumping, contact:

• Poway Code Compliance (during business hours) at 858-668-4663 or 858-668-4664, press "0" for immediate assistance
• Poway Sheriff's Station (after business hours) at 858-513-2800