The City of Santa Cruz Environmental Compliance Program hosted the Pollution Prevention Awards 2018 on Thursday, Sept. 20, to honor local food service and vehicle service facilities that have been consistent recipients of Clean Ocean Business awards for five, 10 and 15 years.

The invitation-only awards event at the Back Nine Grill and Bar recognized a total of 69 Santa Cruz businesses for consistent compliance with the City’s Clean Ocean Business program. Their efforts protect local creeks, the San Lorenzo River and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through practices that keep pollutants away from both storm drains and the sewer system. The special awards went to 31 businesses at the 15-year level, 28 businesses at the 10-year level and 10 at the five-year level.

“We are pleased with the strong numbers of Clean Ocean Business awards over 15 years now,” said City of Santa Cruz Wastewater Lab Environmental Compliance Manager Akin Babatola. The responsible practices of these businesses make a huge difference in protecting our environment.”

The award presentation included a review of the City’s recently amended Sanitary Sewer System Ordinance with impacts on enforcement response plans and a description of the City’s new respirometry system to manage chemicals accepted  into the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility’s stream.

The awards event also celebrated National Pollution Prevention Week Sept. 18-24.