Letter to the editor

Newport Beach resident George Grupe took the City Council to task

(“Newport Beach City Council needs to step up its efforts,” July 29)

regarding bay water quality and grease blockages in sewer lines. A few

respectful rebuttals come to mind:

* The grand jury asked every city in Orange County -- not just Newport

Beach -- to strengthen ordinances regarding grease control devices in

local restaurants. Their report didn’t single us out at all. But the

broad brush nature of the grand jury’s comments reminded us that we can

and should be leaders of the county’s cities in this area -- and that’s

exactly what we asked city staff to do.

* Upper Newport Bay does have a problem -- in some locations on some

days -- with water quality that exceeds state standards for bacteria. But

bay users should know that, of the 35 or more bay sites that undergo

weekly testing, more than 90% of them routinely test clean. Our ocean

beaches fare even better -- waters there are among the cleanest in the

state year-round. One part of the bay -- the far side of Newport Island

-- is particularly troublesome since bacteria levels there (probably from

bird droppings) don’t change much throughout the year. New tests to

identify the true source of this problem begin in West Newport in a few

weeks.

* Without exception, each member of our City Council is committed to

doing what’s right for water quality. A few months ago, we approved City

Manager Homer Bludau’s recommendation that we consolidate our bay and

ocean water-quality efforts -- which will exceed half a million dollars

this year -- and our water and waste-water department under the direction

of an assistant city manager.

For a coastal city that relies upon clean water to maintain its

quality of life, this made good sense. We were the first city in the

county to do this -- Laguna Beach has since followed suit.

Finally, I’ll take this opportunity to remind the Pilot’s readers that

the bay’s water quality begins with you. The first part of the sewer

collection system is owned by each of us -- so sewer lines from our homes

should be cleaned out by a plumber twice a year. To stop urban runoff,

don’t create it. Avoid over-watering. Don’t wash your car at home. Use a

broom instead of a hose on sidewalks and driveways. Pick up after your

pets - and politely remind others to do so too. Boaters must use pump

outs, be extra cautious when fueling, and avoid hosing soaps and

detergents into the water. The bay is a special resource to all of us --

we all have to do our part to keep it clean.

GAROLD B. ADAMS

Newport Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Garold B. Adams is the Newport Beach mayor.