The City of San Diego is increasing street sweeping throughout the Mission Beach alleyways this summer in response to an increase in visitors during the busy tourist season. The added effort will help reduce pollution from increased trash and debris from crowds and beachgoers, preventing it from reaching the ocean or Mission Bay.

Effective May 29, 2024, Mission Beach alleys will be swept every week on Wednesdays. The summer sweeping schedule will continue through September. The Stormwater Department is using sweeping equipment that will allow it to reach nearly every alley in both North and South Mission Beach.

“Thank you to the Stormwater Department for adding more street sweeping routes in Mission Beach during the summer months, which we know is the busiest season for people wanting to visit the beach communities,” said Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, who represents Mission Beach. “Increased street sweeping will help remove trash and debris in our streets, reducing fly infestations and improving the quality of life for both residents and out-of-town tourists.”

The enhanced sweeping in Mission Beach has the added benefits of reducing the nuisance of insects during the summer and helping improve vector control efforts throughout the community.

“Regular street sweeping is one of our most powerful tools for keeping our neighborhoods clean and preventing ocean pollution,” said Todd Snyder, Director of the City’s Stormwater Department. “The weekly sweeping in Mission Beach will help ensure that San Diegans and visitors alike can enjoy our world-class beaches and bays throughout the summer. We encourage everyone to ‘Think Blue’ by properly disposing of litter and debris so we can stop pollution before it starts.”

Residents and visitors can help improve street sweeping efforts by following posted parking signs, taking in trash cans immediately on trash collection days, and promptly reporting illegal dumping and other problems to the City’s Get It Done application.

Rainfall that enters storm drains is not treated, and that runoff collects pollutants from properties and streets and carries them into local waterways. Street sweeping helps remove large and microscopic pollutants, such as brake dust, from vehicles before they reach a storm drain. Those particles can be extremely harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Visit the City’s interactive street sweeping map for more information about routes and schedules.

San Diego is defined by the natural beauty of its beaches and coastal waters, and keeping those precious resources clean, safe and healthy is the mission of Think Blue San Diego, the educational arm of the City’s Stormwater Department. To learn more about Think Blue San Diego and how to implement a Think Blue mindset, go to thinkblue.org.