CITY FOCUS: Cleaner waters ahead

The runoff at Aliso Creek in South Laguna Beach could be cleaner in the future.

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board amended it’s Basin Plan in December to put caps on bacteria levels in watersheds from San Diego to Laguna Beach.

The amendment is meant to meet the region’s water quality goals as well as comply with the federal Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act leaves it to local governments to control water quality.

The board’s new plan establishes Total Daily Maximum Loads (TDML) for indicator bacteria, setting a standard level of bacteria safe for swimmers.

“I think this is invaluable to the cities and the county,” said City Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, who sits on the board.

The plan points out specific places of concern, Aliso Creek among them. The board hopes to reduce bacterial pathogens found in the water such as E. Coli and Coliform in the next 10 to 15 years.

The amendment takes into consideration natural sources of bacteria but aims to eliminate pathogens created by human activity.

“One important element of the new TDMLs is that the [water board] has agreed not to focus on pollutants originating from nature, but rather, to focus on pollutants caused by humans, such as the level of fertilizers than run off of lawns into the ocean after it rains,” Schneider wrote in an e-mail.

John Robertus, the Water Quality Board’s executive officer, said Southern California cities from south Orange County to the border will be responsible for doing their part in reducing the bacteria loads. This includes inland cities that contribute to ocean run-off.

While treating the water is possible, it’s not practical or safe, Robertus said.

“You can’t chlorinate the creek and kill everything in the creek just to get to the bacteria,” Robertus said.

That means the board will enact best management practices, like monitoring and properly treating sewage.

“We can eradicate the problem through good housekeeping,” Robertus said.

Will Holoman, Laguna Beach’s water quality analyst, said Laguna is already on the task. Sewage is carefully treated and the sewer system is constantly being cleaned. Equipment and sewage pumps are also carefully maintained.

“As a city we do a lot to prevent sewer spills,” Holoman said.

There is also an enforcement arm that gives out tickets for those who introduce pollutants into the storm drain system.

Another technique Laguna Beach uses is diversion, which directs contaminated water through the sewage treatment plant.

But the diversion system can’t be used in wet weather.

Holoman said if they tried to divert storm water through the sewer system, it would blow off every manhole cover in the city.

Cities subject to tighter controls expressed concern to the board over how to keep bacteria levels down with storm run-off.

Schneider said the board worked to address concerns of cities and separated the standards into two categories — one for dry weather and one for wet weather.

“The county and the cities were most concerned about meeting stringent TDML requirements that occur during wet weather events,” Schneider said.

Laguna Beach is also working with other Orange County cities affected by the plan to come up with a strategy to reduce bacteria flowing through Aliso Creek.

“All the cities are really coming together for this one,” Holoman said.

For good reason: There will be stiff fines if an area’s water quality isn’t up to standard.

“If you don’t meet the standard then there are real ramifications,” Holoman said.