Sunday briefing : an occasional look at orange county issues : running to the sea

Rainfall brings the sparkle back to dirty streets, parking lots and buildings. But all the grime and litter doesn’t just disappear. It washes untreated into the ocean via storm drains and

pollutes coastal waters. How urban runoff affects the coast: Unseen Pollutants Urban runoff picks up toxic substances as it washes over freeways, streets, parking lots, lawns, construction

sites and industrial facilities. Most common pollutants found in runoff: * Feces Sources: Humans, animals and birds; sewage spills * Toxic metals Sources: Accumulated fuel exhaust, oil and

coolant leaks, tire wear, brake pad wear, fuel spills, improper disposal of motor oil and paint, scrap metal piles, industrial spills. * Pesticides and fertilizers Sources: Household and

agricultural uses; improper disposal Hot Spots Los Angeles and Orange County sanitation districts test for bacteria at 20 sites between the San Gabriel River and Crystal Cove. A reading of

1,000 coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample water is considered unsafe. On a good day, all sites produce readings of less than 20, but bacteria levels skyrocket after a rainfall.

Highest readings, January, 1994, to January, 1995: (graphic: map) Channel Peak Flow The Orange County Environmental Management Agency monitors runoff rates at 14 points throughout the

county. Peak and total flows from fiscal 1992-1993, the year for which the most current data is available. Peak Total Channel Flow* Acre Feet Fullerton Creek at Richman Street 567 10,030

Aliso Creek near Jeronimo Road 342 7,150 Westminster Channel at Hazard Avenue 196 4,160 Santiago Creek at Villa Park Dam 2,550 53,360 El Modena-Irvine Channel at Michelle Street 350 6,040

East Garden Grove-Wintersburg at Gothard Street 745 11,350 Oso Creek at Crown Valley Parkway 913 12,530 Santa Ana Delhi at Irvine Avenue 729 11,310 Laguna Canyon Channel at Woodland Avenue

287 5,600 Bolsa Chica Channel at Westminster Avenue 617 5,730 San Diego Creek at Campus Drive 3,240 62,510 Peters Canyon Wash at Barranca Parkway 1,140 29,170 San Diego Creek at Culver Drive

1,320 22,140 Anaheim Barber City at Ranch Road 879 9,220 * Maximum day in cubic feet per second ** One acre foot equals 326,000 gallons Problem with Aliso Aliso Creek drains storm runoff

from a 30-square-mile area that includes six cities. Leaks and ruptures from adjacent lines have dumped sewage in various stages of treatment into the creek on numerous occasions. Sewage

spilled, in gallons: 1990: 9,000 1991: 0 1992: 7,500 1993: 6,000,000 1994: 55,000 1995*: 250,000 * Through Feb. 28 Gutter to the Ocean: How It Gets There The county’s storm-drain system

consists of 658 miles of underground pipes ranging in diameter from 18 to 72 inches. There are also 362 miles of earthen and concrete channels--some constructed and others, like Aliso Creek,

natural creek beds. Water from these channels flows directly into the ocean without undergoing treatment at the county’s sewage treatment plants. Used motor oil, for example, dumped into

the gutter several miles inland, is a direct source of ocean pollution. How to Reduce Toxic Runoff * Do not dump paint, household cleaners and solvents into gutters. Take them to a local

hazardous-materials collection center. * Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly; don’t apply when rain is likely to wash them away immediately. * Use kitty litter to absorb engine leaks;

take the kitty litter to hazardous-materials collection center. Prevent further leaking with regular automobile maintenance. * Rinse water-based paint brushes in sink. Take oil-based or

latex paints (including used paint thinner) to a hazardous-materials collection center. * Dispose of animal wastes in the trash can, not the gutter. * Take used motor oil and antifreeze to

gas station or hazardous-materials collections center. * Take your car to a carwash that uses recycled water. * When draining spas or swimming pools, run the water into a sink so it will

flow into the sewer for treatment. * Put leaves and garden clippings in trash instead of hosing them into gutter. * Maintain landscaping to control erosion. This keeps dirt and plant debris

out of storm drains. Strange Finds Vegetative debris, foam packaging and other trash form the bulk of solid materials that end up at the shore. Occasionally there are some extraordinary

finds such as: * Sofas * Truck axles * Shopping carts * Tires * Discarded Christmas trees * Animal carcasses * 55-gallon drums Household Hazardous Wastes Collection Centers Four centers in

Orange County accept household hazardous wastes--such as paint, pesticides and automotive products--free of charge. Sites are open Saturday only, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until 100 cars have

been received, whichever occurs first. Closed rainy days and holidays. Information: (714) 834-6752. 1. Anaheim: 1131 N. Blue Gum St. 2. Huntington Beach: 17121 Nichols St. 3. Irvine: 6411

Oak Canyon 4. San Juan Capistrano: Prima Deschecha Landfill, La Pata Avenue off Ortega Highway For More Information * Beach closures, swimming-related illnesses and to a report sewage spill:

Orange County Health Care Agency: (714) 667-3752. * To report hazardous spills or illegal dumping in progress: Call 911 * Service stations that accept used motor oil: California Integrated

Waste Management Board (800) 553-2962. * Garden chemicals, pesticides and possible alternatives: Orange County Agricultural Commissioner (714) 447-7100. Volunteers Needed Last November,

volunteers removed 45,000 pounds of trash from Orange County beaches and wetlands on Coastal Cleanup Day. Other opportunities for involvement are available. Where to call to get involved: *

Surfrider Foundation: (714) 492-8170 * Orange County Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks: (714) 567-6203 * Friends of Newport Bay (714) 646-8009 * Amigos de Bolsa Chica: (714) 897-7003

Sources: Orange County Environmental Management Agency, Orange County Sanitation Districts, Orange County Health Care Agency, United States Geological Survey Researched by JANICE L. JONES /

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