Santos: Cleaner creeks, safer waterways — protecting our resources is working

In November 2024, the Valley Water board of directors approved the Water Resources Protection Zones Ordinance to address the environmental and safety issues from encampments along Valley Water waterways and facilities. We understood that there wouldn’t be an easy fix, but our progress over the past year shows that a coordinated approach can bring real results.

Valley Water’s mission is to provide safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment and economy. Protecting our creeks, waterways, wildlife and public infrastructure is key to that mission. Since adopting the ordinance, Valley Water has seen significant improvements across the county.

One major sign of progress is the decrease in encampments on Valley Water properties. In 2023, we estimated about 904 unsheltered individuals lived on our land. That number dropped to 602 in 2024 and 264 in 2025. Over the past year, the ordinance’s implementation has further reduced the number of unsheltered individuals on Valley Water land. At any given moment, the number is likely to be fewer than 35.

Our proactive efforts have driven this progress. Valley Water crews visit our lands on average every two weeks, helping prevent long-term encampments. We also partner with Santa Clara County outreach providers to connect unsheltered individuals with available services.

The ordinance was never intended to criminalize homelessness. We try to avoid police intervention when enforcing the ordinance. But sometimes it’s necessary if people become violent or create ongoing problems despite education, warnings and notice to leave. The ordinance primarily serves to protect our environment and manage our land, focusing on compliance, outreach and prevention.

We have also achieved significant environmental improvements. Encampments have often produced a lot of trash on Valley Water lands, and debris removal is a major expense. From Dec. 1, 2025 to March 30, 2026, we removed more than 173 tons of trash from waterways and surrounding lands. Overall, the amount of trash has been decreasing, indicating fewer encampments and less debris affecting local creeks and waterways.

We are seeing less destruction of sensitive habitats that were damaged in recent years by encampment activities. These improvements support our restoration efforts and help protect the environment.

Another important outcome has been increased employee safety. Our maintenance crews work in creeks and waterways daily. Many staff members had expressed concerns about unsafe conditions in areas with large encampments. Recently, during a team meeting, staff reported feeling much safer and able to do their work more efficiently since the ordinance was implemented.

It’s crucial to recognize that not everyone living on Valley Water land created safety or environmental issues. However, some situations posed real risks to our employees and to those living in unsafe creek-side conditions.

Valley Water remains committed to working with local agencies, outreach providers and community partners to support long-term solutions to homelessness in Santa Clara County.

As chair of Valley Water’s Environmental Creek Cleanup Committee, my fellow directors and I have closely monitored the implementation of this ordinance and its outcomes. Our committee remains actively engaged in efforts to keep waterways clean while addressing issues affecting unhoused individuals living along them. We meet several times each year to review progress, encourage collaboration among local government agencies and listen to public input.

The Water Resources Protection Zones Ordinance has shown early success. This means we can care for the environment, ensure public safety and provide compassionate outreach, all at the same time. Together, we can create cleaner waterways, healthier ecosystems and safer conditions for our community.

As always, I am available for questions or comments as your District 3 representative for the northern areas of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, Alviso, Milpitas and the North San Jose and Berryessa communities. Feel free to contact me at (408) 234-7707.

Richard Santos is vice chair of the Valley Water board of directors.