Stormwater Quiz

Take this 10-question quiz to learn more about stormwater pollution prevention

1: What is a watershed?

Watersheds are land areas that funnel water to a common low point – usually a stream, lake, river, or out to the ocean

Correct! Watersheds are land areas that channel rainfall to local waterways and the ocean. Healthy watersheds provide clean drinking water, productive fisheries and outdoor recreation.

Watersheds are man-made structures that can hold up to 800 gallons of water

Incorrect! Watersheds are land areas that channel rainfall to local waterways and the ocean. Healthy watersheds provide clean drinking water, productive fisheries and outdoor recreation.

Watersheds are areas in the ocean where marine wildlife thrive

Incorrect! Watersheds are land areas that channel rainfall to local waterways and the ocean. Healthy watersheds provide clean drinking water, productive fisheries and outdoor recreation.

2: How many watersheds exist in the city limits of San Diego?

2

Incorrect! San Diego is home to six watersheds.

4

Incorrect! San Diego is home to six watersheds.

6

Correct! San Diego is home to six watersheds.

3: Which of the following is NOT one of the six watersheds in San Diego?

San Dieguito River

Incorrect! San Diego’s six watersheds are San Dieguito River, Los Peñasquitos, Mission Bay and La Jolla, San Diego River, San Diego Bay, and Tijuana River.

Los Peñasquitos

Incorrect! San Diego’s six watersheds are San Dieguito River, Los Peñasquitos, Mission Bay and La Jolla, San Diego River, San Diego Bay, and Tijuana River.

Mission Bay and La Jolla

Incorrect! San Diego’s six watersheds are San Dieguito River, Los Peñasquitos, Mission Bay and La Jolla, San Diego River, San Diego Bay, and Tijuana River.

San Diego River

Incorrect! San Diego’s six watersheds are San Dieguito River, Los Peñasquitos, Mission Bay and La Jolla, San Diego River, San Diego Bay, and Tijuana River.

Santa Margarita River

Correct! San Diego’s six watersheds are San Dieguito River, Los Peñasquitos, Mission Bay and La Jolla, San Diego River, San Diego Bay, and Tijuana River.

San Diego Bay

Incorrect! San Diego’s six watersheds are San Dieguito River, Los Peñasquitos, Mission Bay and La Jolla, San Diego River, San Diego Bay, and Tijuana River.

4: What happens to stormwater as it flows down a watershed?

It becomes treated by the stormwater system

Incorrect! As stormwater flows down a watershed, rainwater and urban runoff gather and deposit various pollutants into our local waterways.

Rainwater and urban runoff collect and deposit trash, sediment, heavy metals, fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants into our local waterways

Correct! As stormwater flows down a watershed, rainwater and urban runoff gather and deposit various pollutants into our local waterways.

Rainwater collects nutrients from the ground and deposits it into our stormwater

Incorrect! As stormwater flows down a watershed, rainwater and urban runoff gather and deposit various pollutants into our local waterways.

5: What happens when trash and other pollutants enter our waterways?

Trash and pollutants degrade water quality, can cause damage property and have harmful impacts to nearby residents and wildlife

Correct! When trash and other pollutants enter our waterways, the water quality becomes degraded, property can be damaged, and the health of residents and wildlife becomes harmed.

The trash and pollutants form a barrier that doesn’t allow water to get through to the ocean

Incorrect! When trash and other pollutants enter our waterways, the water quality becomes degraded, property can be damaged, and the health of residents and wildlife becomes harmed.

The trash and pollutants improve water quality by depositing nutrients from pet waste into the water

Incorrect! When trash and other pollutants enter our waterways, the water quality becomes degraded, property can be damaged, and the health of residents and wildlife becomes harmed.

6: In the City of San Diego, who lives within a watershed?

Only those who live next to a lake, river or other water body

Incorrect! Everyone lives within a watershed and that is why it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent pollution and contamination from entering our local waterways.

About 50% of City of San Diego residents

Incorrect! Everyone lives within a watershed and that is why it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent pollution and contamination from entering our local waterways.

All of us

Correct! Everyone lives within a watershed and that is why it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent pollution and contamination from entering our local waterways.

7: Which of the following is NOT one of the likely pollutant sources of our local watersheds?

Garbage, litter and debris

Incorrect! The four main likely pollutant sources of our local waterways include garbage, litter and debris; landscaping; animal waste; and home and garden activities.

Landscaping

Incorrect! The four main likely pollutant sources of our local waterways include garbage, litter and debris; landscaping; animal waste; and home and garden activities.

Driving a gas-powered vehicle

Correct! The four main likely pollutant sources of our local waterways include garbage, litter and debris; landscaping; animal waste; and home and garden activities.

Animal and yard waste

Incorrect! The four main likely pollutant sources of our local waterways include garbage, litter and debris; landscaping; animal waste; and home and garden activities.

Home and garden activities, such as pesticide and fertilizer use

Incorrect! The four main likely pollutant sources of our local waterways include garbage, litter and debris; landscaping; animal waste; and home and garden activities.

8: What simple steps can you take to stop pollutants from ending up in our waterways?

Properly dispose of trash and take large items to a landfill or recycling center

Partially correct! All of these simple everyday actions can make a difference in stopping pollutants from ending up in our waterways.

Take household chemicals (paint, motor oil or household cleaners) to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center

Partially correct! All of these simple everyday actions can make a difference in stopping pollutants from ending up in our waterways.

Eliminate irrigation runoff by fixing broken sprinklers and controlling overspray

Partially correct! All of these simple everyday actions can make a difference in stopping pollutants from ending up in our waterways.

Sweep up debris and dirt instead of using a hose to wash it away

Partially correct! All of these simple everyday actions can make a difference in stopping pollutants from ending up in our waterways.

Never dispose of ANY wastewater in a storm drain

Partially correct! All of these simple everyday actions can make a difference in stopping pollutants from ending up in our waterways.

All of the above

Correct! All of these simple everyday actions can make a difference in stopping pollutants from ending up in our waterways.

9: Which of San Diego’s six watersheds is the largest?

Tijuana River

Correct! The Tijuana Watershed is the largest, with a total of 1,750 square miles and a population of 2,800,000. The Tijuana Watershed has 467 square miles in the United States with a population of 83,000 living on the U.S. side

San Dieguito River

Incorrect! The Tijuana Watershed is the largest, with a total of 1,750 square miles and a population of 2,800,000. The Tijuana Watershed has 467 square miles in the United States with a population of 83,000 living on the U.S. side

San Diego Bay

Incorrect! The Tijuana Watershed is the largest, with a total of 1,750 square miles and a population of 2,800,000. The Tijuana Watershed has 467 square miles in the United States with a population of 83,000 living on the U.S. side

Mission Bay and La Jolla

Incorrect! The Tijuana Watershed is the largest, with a total of 1,750 square miles and a population of 2,800,000. The Tijuana Watershed has 467 square miles in the United States with a population of 83,000 living on the U.S. side

10: Which watershed has the most San Diego County residents living in the watershed?

Mission Bay and La Jolla

Incorrect! The San Diego Bay Watershed has the largest population with a total of nearly 1.1 million people.

Los Peñasquitos

Incorrect! The San Diego Bay Watershed has the largest population with a total of nearly 1.1 million people.

Tijuana River

Incorrect! The San Diego Bay Watershed has the largest population with a total of nearly 1.1 million people.

San Diego Bay

Correct! The San Diego Bay Watershed has the largest population with a total of nearly 1.1 million people.