San Jose’s Plan to Combat Waterway Pollution Approved

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board has approved San Jose’s plan to address homeless encampment trash in city waterways through 2027, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Deputy City Manager Kip Harkness described the plan to relocate homeless residents from waterway areas and block these zones with barriers and signage, correlating the process with the availability of more housing.
Mayor Matt Mahan emphasized the city’s commitment to higher standards in its fourth plan submission, after three rejections, and highlighted the need to move over 1,000 people from creeks into managed alternatives. Despite a projected $50 million budget shortfall, the city aims to comply with the Clean Water Act and continue investing in affordable housing.
The plan extends the deadline for 100% trash load reduction to December 31, 2025, and requires stormwater permit renewal by 2027 to avoid fines. The Sierra Club and other groups support using Measure E funds for temporary shelter solutions, which was unanimously approved by the council. The city is forming a specialized team to address homelessness along waterways, drawing parallels to its COVID-19 response strategy.