The Town of Portola Valley provides a complimentary emergency supply of sandbags to help its residents protect property from flooding during the rainy season. For more information on winter storm preparedness, please click here

The self-serve sandbag station is located at Portola Valley Town Center along the southern driveway, across from the basketball courts. The station is accessible daily and will remain available through the end of the rainy season.

Bags, sand, funnels, and shovels are provided. The bags are located in the metal barrel.

Please note: This resource is available to Portola Valley residents only, and is not for commercial or contractor use.

These supplies are intended to be used during an active storm event or to prevent immediate flooding. Non-emergency use of supplies would affect residents in need during an actual emergency. Sand and bags are available for private purchase at a number of local building material suppliers.

Proper Placement of Sand Bags: Download this flyer on the proper placement of sand bags provided by the County of San Mateo Public Works Department. 

For more information or to report depleted supplies, please report on PV Connect or call the Public Works Department at (650) 851-1700 x 500 or email TownCenter@portolavalley.net.

Disposal of Sand Bags

Sandbags used during a flood event may have come in contact with a myriad of substances, including: sewage, petroleum or other chemicals.

Do not place filled sandbags in your normal garbage or at the curb for disposal. Full sandbags will not be picked up. Proper sandbag disposal is the responsibility of the user, whether that person is a resident, business owner, government entity or not-for-profit organization. If your sandbag was provided by The Town of Portola Valley or the County of San Mateo or another source, proper disposal of the sandbag remains your responsibility.

To dispose of sandbags contact Green Waste Recovery - https://www.greenwaste.com/portola-valley/

HANDLING SANDBAGS:

• Consider the contaminants to which your sandbags may have been exposed before handling and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, goggles).
• After handling sandbags, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

REUSE OF SANDBAGS:

• If your sandbags have been contaminated, they should be properly disposed of.
• Uncontaminated sandbags may be stored on your property for reuse. However, mold can become a problem if they are wet. Ensure sandbags are stored in a dry place.
• Burlap and plastic sandbags free of contaminants may be reused at other flood sites or for a different use such as construction or permanent earthen structures.
• Uncontaminated dirt or sand (contents of the sandbag) may be reused on your property assuming the material is not used to fill a wetland or other protected area.
• Clean empty bags may be reused or disposed of as other waste would be.

DISPOSAL OF UNCONTAMINATED SANDBAGS:

• Full sandbags placed in the garbage or at the curb will not be picked up as a part of your normal garbage collection.
• Proper disposal varies based on what has come into contact with the sandbag.
• Contact Green Waste Recovery for additional information at: 650.568.9900

DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED SANDBAGS:

• Contaminated sandbags and their contents should not be reused.
• Contaminates might include sewage, petroleum or other chemicals.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment when handling and ensure areas that come in contact with contaminated sandbags are disinfected.
• Sandbags contaminated with petroleum and other chemicals may have to be disposed of as hazardous waste, and laboratory testing may be required to determine if this is the case.
• Contact Green Waste Recovery for additional information at: 650.568.9900

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