Flying out the laws
June Casagrande
NEWPORT BEACH -- Businesses will soon get a crash course in water
quality.
“You’ve been drafted in the fight against runoff,” a preliminary
version of a city flier warns merchants. “It’s this simple: Wash water in
the gutter is prohibited!”
The flier, which has not yet been approved for distribution to local
merchants, is one of several ways the city is trying to get businesses to
comply with new regulations that create unprecedented challenges.
Basically, merchants must take steps to keep all the water used to
wash down sidewalks, walls, awnings and patios out of the storm drains.
One solution under consideration is city-sponsored wash days, when the
city will sandbag the storm drains on individual streets and set out
devices to catch runoff. The merchants will then all wash their sidewalks
and buildings on the same day.
“I guess it could be kind of like a wash party,” Assistant City
Manager Dave Kiff said.
Wet-dry vacuums, sandbags and hiring environmentally friendly cleaning
services are among the ways officials recommend businesses keep dirt and
detergents from getting into the harbor. Environmentally friendly
cleaners, including vinegar, also play a role.
Though even with such cleaners, wash water cannot go into the storm
drains -- eco-friendly products mean wash water could be absorbed into
the earth in grassy areas or near trees and shrubs without damage to the
plants.
Keeping a tight rein on the amount of water used is paramount,
officials warn.
Among the flier’s list of “friends” of the environment: “exactly the
amount of water needed to clean” and “exactly the amount of water needed
to irrigate.” The top foe: “a drop more than that.”
The measures are necessary in part because of a permit approved
earlier this year that governs all Orange County cities’ use of storm
drains. The controversial rules, which many inland cities said were too
costly, found their biggest supporters in Newport Beach -- the only city
to stand solidly in support of the majority of tough restrictions.
But even the self-appointed environmental stewards of Newport Beach
government have had reservations.
Some, such as Mayor Tod Ridgeway, said local businesses’ concerns
should be taken into greater consideration. City Councilwoman Norma
Glover took it a step further, asking city staff to look into ways the
city could help businesses pay for the potentially costly environmental
precautions.
Such measures could come under consideration soon, Kiff said.
* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)
574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .
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