Over the past year, Waterkeeper has engaged over 200 community volunteers to help clean the creeks. Some items we have pulled out include: tires, mattress, shopping carts, furniture, and TONS of PLASTIC!! Approximately 15 TONS of trash have been removed from Chino and Mill Creek. With on-the-ground surveying, debris removal, and inventory work concluded under this Project, Waterkeeper is now equipped to take the next steps in order to prevent the continued pollution of Chino and Mill Creeks. Waterkeeper staff is currently searching for funds to implement a public policy phase which will raise awareness about the chronic trash issue within the City of Chino and surrounding cities in the watershed. We will work toward implementation of upstream prevention measures; thus addressing the root of the problem and contributing to a long-term solution to keep trash and pollutants out of these critical waterways.

Thank you to all who participated or otherwise suppported the effort!

What is it? Waterkeeper has been contracted by Inland Empire Utilities Agency to locate, remove and inventory debris within Mill and Chino Creeks in the Prado Basin. Our project encompasses approximately 3 miles of polluted creeks that need help over the coming year. Flow is steady and constant from upstream treatment plants and access is strenuous with overgrowth and uneven terrain. However, this project will provide immediate visual and water quality improvements for public recreation users, dowstream water consumers, and wildlife.

Why? This area has seen a direct correlation between the rate of urbanization and the volume of debris in waterways. Trash collects in low-hanging trees and brush with heavy items lying on the channel bed. The extent of impact on water quality is presently unknown, although trash has been known to harbor bacteria and cause other water quality problems. Inventory and characterization of the debris will provide information to target upstream source control strategies.


CLICK HERE for maps of project sites in Mill Creek and Chino Creek

Check out the Chino and Mill Creek Debris Removal Project's Final Report here!

This work is generously funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the California Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Additional support comes from theWalmart Foundation and Union Bank Foundation.