[Water_news] 4. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATER QUALITY - 5/15/07

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

May 15, 2007

 

4. Water Quality

 

STORMWATER RUNOFF:

Rain in drain biggest pain for ocean - North County Times

 

SEWAGE PLANT:

Editorial: Citywide vote? In Petaluma, lower sewer rates may translate into more pollution - Santa Rosa Press Democrat

 

 

STORMWATER RUNOFF:

Rain in drain biggest pain for ocean

North County Times – 5/14/07

By Dave Downey, staff writer

 

SAN DIEGO -- Despite the attention that sewage spills routinely receive, these days the rainwater that races down streets and storm drains poses a far greater threat to coastal waters, a scientist said Friday.

Stephen Weisberg, a biologist and executive director of the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority in Costa Mesa, said that three decades ago, wastewater generally accounted for 80 percent to 90 percent of toxic chemicals washing into the Pacific. Urban stormwater accounted for the rest.

 

But over the course of a quarter-century, the trend reversed. By 1995, the source of 60 percent to 90 percent of toxic chemicals washing into coastal waters was stormwater, Weisberg said. And that trend continues today.

 

"Our problems are not sewage spills," Weisberg said.

Weisberg was referring to sources of chromium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc and other chemicals frequently found in coastal waters. He made the comments in a San Diego Association of Governments workshop.

As if to underscore the point, Bruce Reznik, executive director of the environmental group San Diego Coastkeeper, said urban stormwater dumps 1 trillion gallons into the ocean each year along the Southern California coast. That equates to two swimming pools for every person living in the region. And that water is laced with oil, grease, pesticides, pet waste, trash and toxins from highways, backyards and parking lots, he said.

"We are all responsible for contributing to urban runoff pollution," Reznik said. "Therefore, everyone must necessarily be part of the solution."

Reznik suggested a multifaceted solution -- one that teaches children about the importance of keeping waste out of storm drains, enforces litter laws with stiff fines and encourages developers to build in a way that minimizes runoff. It also would help to preserve more open space, where most rainwater tends to soak into the ground rather than run downhill in sheets.

Crystal Crawford, association board member and Del Mar councilwoman, said that area communities could help curb runoff from new subdivisions by requiring developers to use materials such as concrete and pavers that cause water to seep into the ground rather than run into creeks, rivers and the ocean.

"That would, over time, make a significant difference," Crawford said.

Something has to be done, she said, to protect what is arguably the county's No. 1 economic asset -- its sunny, sandy coastline. She added that her little coastal community is determined to clean up coastal waters.

"We're at the end of the pipe, if you will," Crawford said. "We're very concerned about what goes into our lagoons and ocean."

She said the association -- the region's primary planning agency -- ought to take the lead in encouraging its 18 member cities and the county government to reduce runoff from new development by proposing changes for cities' growth plans.

At the same time, several board members said the association, for now at least, should stay out of the fray between its members and the state over the January issuance of a new permit that governs how communities must protect waterways.

The county, the 18 cities, several school districts and the Building Industry Association of San Diego County recently petitioned the state to overturn the permit, saying it would be too costly to follow. State water officials have since rejected that challenge.

The building association has said it may file a lawsuit over the matter.

The industry maintains complying with the regulations would cost taxpayers $250 million over five years and boost the price of a new home by $20,000.

Friday's workshop is the first of three that the association plans to hold on major environmental issues facing the county. The board plans to discuss beach sand replenishment on June 8 and habitat preservation on July 13. #

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/05/12/news/sandiego/21_00_235_11_07.txt

 

 

 

SEWAGE PLANT:

Editorial: Citywide vote? In Petaluma, lower sewer rates may translate into more pollution

Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 5/15/07

 

Petaluma is catching up to nearby cities, replacing an antiquated, 70-year-old sewage treatment plant with a new plant that responds to the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with a clean environment.

ADVERTISEMENT

If one group of citizens has its way, however, the construction of that plant could be interrupted.

A petition submitted on Friday could force a citywide referendum on higher sewer and water rates adopted in January.

The leader of the opposition, former Councilman Bryant Moynihan, says the plant could be built for less. He also wishes the city would spend less on replacing failing water pipes and on water re-use systems.

If Moynihan can find ways to save money without forcing the city to renege on its responsibilities, more power to him. But it's worth noting his many presentations have left elected officials unimpressed.

There is a popular appeal here: Want to pay less for everything? Then sign here.

Once upon a time, of course, communities discharged raw or partly treated sewage into nearby streams. This wasn't good for public health or the environment, but it was cheap. #

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070515/NEWS/705150326/1043/OPINION01

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