Runoff cited in water study

Andrew Edwards

A study on the condition of local waters showed streams around

Newport Beach had high levels of phosphates and bacteria and had

other problems, according to the conclusions of an Orange County

Coastkeeper report released Thursday.

The likely source of the pollution? Coastkeeper project manager

Ray Hiemstra blamed urban runoff that he believes often comes from

households.

“This is just your classic over-watering, car-washing,” Hiemstra

said.

The report is based on water samples taken May 7, which was

designated Orange County Snapshot Day. During the

Coastkeeper-organized event, volunteers collected water samples from

streams across the county. Waterways subjected to testing included

San Diego Creek, Big Canyon Creek, Morning Canyon Channel and Buck

Gully.

Coastkeeper concluded that levels of E. coli bacteria exceeded

safe levels in San Diego Creek and lower Buck Gully. San Diego Creek

empties into the Back Bay. Buck Gully flows toward Little Corona

beach.

All but two of the creeks tested, including all Newport waterways

where samples were taken, had phosphate levels that were too high.

Phosphates are often traced to fertilizer that gets carried to

streams via runoff. The problem with phosphates, environmentalists

believe, is that they can cause an overgrowth of plants and algae

that can lead to reduced oxygen levels in water.

Ammonia is another chemical found in fertilizers that can wind up

in water, Hiemstra said. Testing revealed high ammonia levels in San

Diego and Big Canyon creeks. Big Canyon Creek flows into the Back

Bay. Hiemstra said waterways should be free of ammonia.

The mere presence of some of the streams indicated to Hiemstra

that too much runoff is flowing into Newport Bay and the Pacific

Ocean. Without runoff, he would expect some of the waterways to have

been dry in May.

“Big Canyon [Creek] shouldn’t be there. Morning Canyon [Channel]

shouldn’t be there,” Hiemstra said.

This was the third year a study of Orange County waters was

conducted. The report concluded that no improvements in tested

streams had been observed, even though Hiemstra said Newport Beach

tends to take more steps to combat runoff than other cities.

“They chase people for over-watering and over-fertilizing,”

Hiemstra said.

Newport Beach has five water quality enforcement officers who can

write citations, Asst. City Manager Dave Kiff said. Most cities have

between one and three employees looking out for water quality

violations, Kiff said.

Examples of activities that can lead to a citation in Newport

Beach are using too much soap to wash a car or hosing off a

construction project. Paying someone to wash a car at a Newport Beach

home is also illegal. First-time violations can result in a $100

fine.

Beyond enforcement, Hiemstra suggested engineered wetlands that

can naturally filter streams and programs to recycle captured runoff

as possible ways to keep water cleaner.