Why Volunteer?
Pollution prevention starts at our front doors. Trash can travel through storm drains, creeks, and rivers to become Bay pollution.
Cleanup days are also a great way to fulfill your community service requirements. Individuals, clubs, and classes are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Take the lead - make a difference.
Volunteer to host a creek cleanup!
- Identify a safe and accessible section of creek, river, or lake within Santa Clara County that needs a cleanup. Please visit the area ahead of time to ensure it is safe, and there is enough trash for your volunteers to pick up.
- Designate a Site-Coordinator assistant for the day of the event. This can be someone else from your group.
- Register your National River or Coastal Cleanup Day site.
- Participate in a brief CCAG training and pick up cleanup supplies the week before the cleanup event.
- Host your cleanup on National River or Coastal Cleanup Day.
Need more information?
Please, email us at volunteer@valleywater.org.
- Pick up and organize cleanup supplies from our office
- Serve as the day-of point of contact for volunteers participating at your cleanup site
- Greet, sign in, and provide instructions to volunteers on the day of the cleanup
- Collect and report cleanup data to the Creek Connections Action Group (CCAG) on the day of the cleanup
- Training on how to host a safe and effective cleanup
- Cleanup supplies, including gloves, bags, litter sticks, etc. for you and your group
- Trash pickup service to haul away your collected trash
- Outreach materials to assist with the recruitment and registration of volunteers for your cleanup site
Are you up for the Challenge?
Volunteer to join a creek cleanup!
1. Look for Litter in your neighborhood
2. Lend a Hand
3. Help Your Local Creek
- Check out our Upcoming Cleanup Events page.
- Register to join a cleanup site. The registration for each site will include information on the site coordinator, meeting and parking locations, and site considerations and conditions.
- Print and sign the waiver to participate in the cleanup.
- Talk Trash and share your experience. Tag us @scvwd on IG/FB or @valleywater on Twitter
- Long Pants
- Sturdy Shoes
- Work Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Hat and Sunglasses
- Check the County Health Website for further recommended Personal Protective Equipment
For In Person Cleanup Sites we provide these items:
- Trash Bags
- Extra Gloves
- First Aid Supplies
- Litter Sticks
Note: If you are registered for the Virtual Cleanup you can request to pick up these supplies.
Upon arrival at a In Person cleanup event, your Site Coordinator will provide you with all safety guidelines specific to the site. You are required to follow these guidelines.
1. DO wear gloves at all times.
2. DO stay in your group or work with a buddy.
3. DO use caution around creek banks–they can be muddy and slippery. DO NOT go in the water!
4. DO NOT pick up any dangerous, hazardous, heavy or awkward items, such as tires, large pieces of scrap metal, needles, syringes, bloody clothing, Band-Aids, dead animals, etc.
– Please notify the site coordinator if you find any of these items. DO handle sharp objects (broken glass) with care – children should NOT pick up broken glass.
5. DO lift with your legs, not with your back
6. DO be cautious of poison oak!
7. DO stay clear of homeless encampments!
8. DO NOT over exert yourself! Take breaks; drink plenty of water especially on warm, humid days.