Tougher water standards approved

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- The stuff going through the county’s storm drains

into the bay and ocean is going to get a lot cleaner -- and fast.

A county board on Friday voted to approve tough new water-quality

rules, leaving city officials to consider what their first step will be

to get the city up to standards. The rules are expected to cost the city

about $200,000 a year, but are nonetheless seen by many as well

worthwhile.

“I’m very excited,” Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff said. “I think

it’s about time that everybody in the watershed, including Newport, took

water quality as seriously as it’s taken in this permit.”

Defend the Bay Founder Bob Caustin, though, said he was disappointed

by the decision because he believes the permit isn’t strict enough.

“It’s inadequate,” Caustin said. “This is far below the standards set

for Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. It’s important for us to

get it strengthened however we have to.”

The rules are part of a permit granted by the Santa Ana Regional Water

Quality Board to the county that allows cities to operate storm drains.

The permit is renewed every five years. Its most recent rewrite, which

the board approved Friday, includes rules such as frequent inspections of

construction sites at commercial properties and a requirement that means

merchants hosing down their sidewalks will have to take measures to catch

the water before it gets into the storm drains. The permit goes into

effect in nine days.

The city’s first order of business will likely be to hire one or two

inspectors for construction sites. Officials could also consider finding

ways to help merchants pay for sidewalk-cleaning costs.

The permit pit coastal cities against some inland towns and

distinguished Newport Beach as the biggest advocate of the tough rules.

Some inland cities have argued that the cost to them of complying with

the rules is an unfair burden whose benefits are enjoyed mostly by cities

on the water.