SR-5-D
'.
.
,e LV;
k~P-SJ
$4
Information Item
tz> 5:L
October 14, 1986
TO:
Mayor and city council
.
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Discussion of Options to Protect the Public From Coming
in Direct contact wi th Discharge Water From the pico
Kenter Storm Drain
Introduction
This report provides information regarding various options
available to protect the public from coming in direct contact
wi th the discharge water from the Pico Kenter storm drain and
recommends increasing the nl1!"her of warning signs.
Discussion
For the last several months, City staff has been receiving
information from the County of Los Angeles Health Department that
the bacteria concentrations in the Pico/Kenter storm drain
run-off water are higher than levels considered to be safe. In
addition, on several occasions small amounts of fuel have been
illegally placed or allowed to run into the system resulting in
noxious odors at the beach area and the appearance of oily
substances at the mouth of the drain.
Both County and City staffs have been actively searching for the
source or sources of the contamination of this drain. To date,
significant sources of the oily substances have not been
determined.
The bacteria is from run-off waters coming in to
contact with animal wastes, fertilizers, discarded food products,
and other materials including natural soil which contains high
- 1 -
. .
amounts of bacteria, since extensive investigations and tests
have eliminated sewers as a source.
For this reason, Council requested of staff at the September 9,
1986 council meeting to prepare a report describing options
available to protect the public from coming in contact with these
waters. It should be noted that city staff installed a 12" drain
pipe from the mouth of the drain at the Promenade to the surf
line (approximately 3001) to eliminate the long stretch of beach
area that the storm drain water would flow across to eliminate a
greater potential exposure to the public. Installation of the
pipe has localized and greatly reduced the area that is of
concern. Oiscussion of further options to minimize public
contact with this water are discussed below:
1. Install fencing to prevent beach users from coming in direct
contact with the storm drain water.
This option does not seem feasible for the following reasons:
-Surf action would destroy a fence built of conventional
construction in a matter of days. More durable fence
construction would require extensi ve concrete footings and
metal poles that would be expensive and would present a
hazard to swimmers and surfers in the area. Also, the fence
would require substantial maintenance to repair breaks that
would inevitably occur, remove kelp, remove trash, etc.
2. Install buoys to warn swimmers and surfers as to the possible
hazard of swimming in the close vicinity of the drain outlet.
- 2 -
.
.
The County Lifeguards and the City's Harbor Guards advise
against this for the following reasons:
-Buoys present a hazard to swim11lers in the water and a
tripping hazard to joggers on the beach due to the necessity
of anChoring with cables buried in the beach sand.
-Buoys must be anchored beyond the surfline which extends 400
to 600 feet from the edge of the water. Thus the warning
value of the buoys would be diminished because of their lack
of proximity to the drain outlet.
-Buoys require extensive maintenance due to the barnacles
that quickly attach themselves to the buoys. If frequent
maintenance is not done the buoys become more hazardous to
swi'!'n-mers because of the sharp edges that develop on the
floats and ropes.
3. Install temporary stake and tape barriers to warn beach users
to stay clear of the area. This could be done daily using
lightweight stakes and tape. However, this device would most
.
likely be washed away with each high tide.
-This alternative is feasible but will present some safety
problems for swimmers due to the stakes and tape washing
around in the surf after being washed away.
4. Increased warning signs.
There are currently five cautionary signs posted at or near
the terminus of the Pico/Kenter drain. The County Health
DepartDent has attached two signs at the end of the concrete
- 3 -
.
.
walls of the drain which states "WARNING - CONTAMINATED WATER
- AVOID CONTACT." They have also posted two signs located on
six foot posts stating that "OCEAN WATER WITHIN 25 YARDS OF
STORM DRAIN MAY BE CONTAMINATED - AVOID CONTACT," These
signs are located 25 yards inland of the surf and 15' on each
side of the drain structure. The City placed decals on the
end of the 12" drain line itself advising avoiding contact
with pipe contents which are visible when the pipe is
uncovered by surf action.
All signs are in English and
Spanish languages.
(The 12" pipe has been removed as of
September 3 Oth due to the recent storm..)
Staff believes that the installation of two additional signs
placed on six foot standards and located 25 yards inland from
the surf line and 25 feet North and South of the current
County signs would substantially increase the visibility of
the cautionary messages.
These signs will be worded to
provide additional information not contained in the current
signinq described above i.e.
CAUTION
Swimming within 25 yards of
the storm drain outlet is not
advisable. storm drain waters
may be contaminated by bacteria
or casual chemical/petroleum
washed down from urban areas.
AVISO
Translation, etc...
- 4 -
.
.
conclusion
staff believes that adding additional warning signs is the safest
and most effective way of alerting beach users as to the possible
hazard of coming in direct contact with the Pico/Kenter drain
effluent. Unless directed otherwise, staff intends to install
the additional signs within 10 days.
Prepared by: stan Scholl, Director of General services
Neil Miller, Asst. Director of General Services
Ed Lash, utilities Manager
- 5 -
.
.
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMO
DATE:
October 14, 1986
John Jalili, City Manager
stan Scholl, Director of General services ~~
Pico-Kenter Stormdrain Effluent Test
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Attached are copies of recent test results which Councilmember
Zane requested and which we have provided to him today.
.
.
ell(
siJ"..-.!:l ~{
_~r
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PIC] KENTNER S70R~ DRAIN
SaMcl1ng Date: AJ:::f'":.l 28,1986
Analyst i~anh-Huong Le
COI"lj::ound
chi 01"'0 for"'1"I
brof'loforl'l
l .1 - dlchloroethe.,e
~ethylene chlorlde
t:"~chlor"'oetnene
tetracnloroethene
concentf'"at~on. DPb
0.2
0. ,
o i
0.4
'-0 I
<0.1
10 (, ~
:r: Al\.1. t ...,f=l5lRM!Sf) Tf{.kt ~L.--t-
"'Tlf'E1; 6'
S.ATlS~Y ~rJi'.s f6{(
~.Ar1EJ... -. EXCE:-pr
DIt'~I( J"'tT
c; oUFC>f<M,.
"'A u'" I ""L!"" ~
, t,.-.?~_: i ,'1.::J....~ ~f.V~31 '1M
.~.~,~ ...~W1' ~t"l I rl"
.., - .I' "-"\04"';
LS ell! f l AVU 9S.
~..u4M
~
.
..
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PIca KENtNER STORM DRAIN
SaMpll~g Date: 5epteMber 22. 1985
Analyst: MyrlaM Ca~dena5
COl'lpound
CQncent~atlo~. ppb
chloroforM
brOMoforM
1 ,1 - dlchloroethene
Methylene chloride
trlchloroethene
tetrachloroetMene
],2 - dJchlo~oethene
carbon tetrach:or~de
1,1 ,1,- t....lcMloroethane
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
ND
NO
NO
,
errr
~
.
!
OtTl
5ATERIALOGICAL QUALITY CF THE FICO KENNER STORM DRAIN
SdMPllng Date: SepteMber 15, 19B5
Analyst: Rochelle Stahl
;J
)16~0
FECfoL COlIFORMS STANDARD PLATE
MPN COUNT
:t:eACTE?,!~/1 ~0l"1 :t6ACTEIJ t AI:"I ~
>!E~~ Z~700
) I 6 ill 0 8.8 '" J,,4
>lS~O J.. 7 )( 105
c
>1600 1.1 '" Hr
>!6~Q g.:3 '" 1,,4
>16J3 1.2 ~ 1,,5
>16~0 I .~ ;< roS
c
>16~C 1.6 x 10-
STORM
C?~ ~ n 5r.M~'_:;.
TOTAL COL!FORMS
MPN
::e"~TE,RIA/100""l
;,1 )]600
#5 >'E00
:6 )1600
.~ )16C@
.(
:8 }1600
"'0 ) 16.Z0
"'.
#t~ >1600
;
~ -~ - -
J.~T _.1.... ~T"'"'I'_ __ ... ~r .....-1'1.......#... __-:Z--'"'?:l...!-'JT' _ ---___ ___.........-A
. _~.... ....-_....._ ....r~.::...i-...--7;-~.;;- - 1....- _-...--......~.___.....'II$o~___._.J-
~Ir..~
..
...
.
.
~l, ,
5 &-'k to II
~rtv /
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PIeD KENTNER STORM DRAIN
SQ~pllng Date. Septe~ber 4, i9S6
Analyst: MyrlaM Cardenas
COMpound
chlorofol"'''l
brQ(l'toforM
1,1 - dLchloroethene
~ethylene chlorlde
trlchloroetherle
tetrdchloroethene
1,2 - dlchloroethene
carbon tetrachlarlde
1,1,1,- trlchlaroethane
concentratIon, ppb
i .6
NO
NO
NO
f\jO
NO
NO
NO
NO
:E
>c-> ~
--l-
m---l
;1;1-<
""'0 q]
:e:.-"
>Vl
- (/)~ I
-i% '-0
f""i -l
, ~~ :J=o
J>~
. CO
-,,,,
~ ;:;. ~
;::0 ~ 0\
G
~):>
~
-)
-~-
.
(
.
(
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PICa KENTNER STORM DRAIN
SaMollnQ Date: Jul" 21,1986
Analyst: Thanh-HuonQ Le
C01'100und
concentratlon, pob
chlorofort"l
brol'1oforT'l
1,1 - dlChloroethene
Methylene chlorlde
trlchloroethene
tetrachloroethene
1 ,2 - dlChloroethene
carbon tetrachlor1de
1,1,1.- trlchloroethane
I
0.3
NO
NO
, .6
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
C\ T I
.
.
(
,,'
C\ T J
-- ~"q
-y:.. ~ t .-/'
~'\
......---
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS DF THE PIca KENTNER STORM DRAIN
SaMplIng Date. May 27,1886
Analyst: Thanh-Huong Le
COMpound
concent~atlQn, ppb
chloroforM
brol'1oforP'l
1 ,1 - l::i1chlol"'oethene
~ethylene chlorIde
trlchlo-oeihene
tetrachloroethene
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.8
<0.1
NO
..
"
,
.
~
-.
-""
I'
,-
.
.
(
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PIca KENTNER STORM DR~IN
SaMpllng Date: October 20, 1985
Anolyst: Rochelle Stahl
COl"lpound
concentratlon, ppb
0.2
chloroforM
brol"lofort"l
1 . I - dlchloroethene
dlbroMochloroMethane
Methylene chloride
;
0.2
o 7
0.2
0.4
CIT'i
<
\
\.
,
.
i
.
,
VOLATILE ORGANIC AN~LY5IS OF THE PICD KENTNER STORM DRA;N
SaMc:l!l.,g Oat e: Ju 1 y :3. 1985
Andly~t: Rac~elle St~hl
COJ'llpound
concentrat~cn, ppc
T ,1 dlchloroethene
ehlor-afor,,",
broModlchloroJ'lletha~e
trlch 1 oroet !"",ene
ClorOMochloroMethare
bl"'oMcfor'"
~et~ylene cnlcr:ce
~.4
o 7
0.~
5.'3
o 2
, .
, ...
J..":
1
c,lry
~Jit
7
-=f-....-
-~poor-- -
__~ P"_
~-:-j:
...'M).....
...-
;';:--1
-.,.
-~-
~~
.~
_0 'i
~'.\
-.,~
...~~-.
......:t
)
)
t:
&.
.
.
Ct, r't
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS DF THE PIeD KENTNER STORM DRAIN
SaMpllng Date: June 24, \385
Analyst: Rochelle Stahl
COMpound
chloroforM
broMoforM
concentratlon. ppb
~ 'i~yJ.-.~-~...,.~.-==~ - ~,""-~p.:...- ~-"
0.3
0.1
.
.
j
I I
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PICD KENTNER STORM DRAIN
Sal'l~ bng Date' May 21, 1985
Analyst: Rochelle St~hl
Cvl"1pound
chiOl"'crOrM
hi \.....f'lh,) f ~.i~1
;
concentration, ppb
0.3
0.7
C.rr
1-
/.
j
$dMD i 1 ng
Afldlv.o;t"
COl'loound
cnloroTorM
.
I
J
J, --
/ ~> ,..:lr(
c", T 1
//
0L-:'~:-'1 - ~ "-
~_ c-...
/""'/. ~ /
:.....-y./~
'-1'1;oD
VOLATILE GR6ANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PICO KENTNER STORM DRAIN
Date ;.)ord 1S
~ccnelle St~hl
trlcl-jl:Jrc.ef.hene
O""01'lor~rl'1
tetrachlaroethene
I.,
1985
concentretlon oob
12.5
0. r
0.9
0. i
I
.
.
err;
f}if
VOLATILE ORGANIC ANALYSIS OF THE PICD KENNER STORM DRAIN
Sa~pllng Date: March 11, 1985
Analyst: Rochelle Stahl
COMpound
concentratlon, ppb
chlorofor~
trace
1,1,I-trIchloroethane
0.1
tetrachloroethene
0.3
,
'-.
e,
.
VOLATILE ORGANIC ~NALYSIS OF THE PICO KENTNER STORM DRAIN
SaMPllng Date: January 28, 1985
Analyst: Rochelle Stahl
COMpound
concentratlon, ppb
chloroforM
brol'lo forM
1 . t - dlchloroethene
Methylene chlorIde
trIchloroethane
tetrachloroethene
o 6
0.1
o 2
~.a
0.1
13.3
c-IrT
.-..-
. .
. .
-. .
. .
. .
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES · Dffi\KI'MENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
31J NOATH AGUEFlOA STRE-=T. LOS ANGEles. CAWFORNIA 90012 . {213} 914- 8101
~
'\ C
August 5, 1986
--1P
CouncIlman MarvIn Braude
Los Angeles C1ty Councll
Room 395 - CIty Hall
200 No~th Maln Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Councilman Braude:
ThIS is in response to your July 15, 1986 letter regarding
ColIform levels in the su~f zone adJacent to the Santa MonIca
Canyon storm drain in Paclflc PalIsades and the Pico/Kenter .storm
drain In Santa Monica.
As a result of reports on surf zone samples taken by the Les
Angeles City Bureau of San1tatlon, thIS Department has expanded
its sam~ling p~otocol at nIne storm dralns dlscha~glng into the
Santa Monica Bay. Surf zone samples at these locatIons are new
beIng taken weekly at the point of dIscharge and at 10,25,50,30,
and 150 yards on each SIde of the storm drain. Previously, the
samples were taken at 100 yards on each side of the storm draln.
,FINDING~
On July 21, 1986, Departmental staff, uSlng the new protocol
obtained surf zone samples (Attachment I) at nine locations. A
second weekly sampling (Attachment II) was conducted on July 28,
1986. A summary of the results of the second samplIng is as
follows:
At the Santa MonIca Canyon, Imper~al, Ainsworth and Avenue r
storm drains, state bacteriologlcal standards were met at
all sampling points.
At the Pulga Canyon and Ballona Creek sto~m dralns, state
bactertological standards were not exceeded beyond the point
of discharge.
At the Santa Monica Pter, Pico/Kenter and Asrriand storm
draIns, state bacterlologlcal standards were_not exceeded
beyond the 25 yard sample pOlnt.
RECEPJ!:;)
AUG 11 \sqtj
CD ::_-! 1
.
.
CouncIlman Marvin Braude
August 5, 1986
Page 2
ACTJ;ON
In Vlew of these findings, the following actions have been
ordered and taken:
Concerned cItles and agencIes have been notIfIed of
fIndIngs.
A press release was dIstrIbuted on August 1, 1986
(Attachment III).
Warning signs have been posted at eight storm drains
advIsing the public to avoid contact of beach areas within
25 yards of storm draIns that exceed state bacterIological
standards. Signs are already posted at Ballona Creek and
the discharge waters are not readlly accesSIble to the
public.
Lifeguards are routInely patrollIng the SItes to assure that
the public is aware of the advisory WarnIngs.
In addition, we have recommended that the City of Los Angeles and
the County Department of PublIC Works consIder constructIng a
pIpe line that would contlnue the discharge from the Santa Monica
Canyon draln outlet to the surf zone.
Mr. Jack Petralla, Chlef Sanitarian, Recreational SWImmlng
Program, attended the Interagency Storm Drain Task Force meetlng
on July 16, 1986. Mr. Petralia, will contlnue partlclpating in
these meetlngs and provldlng Departmental input. In addltion,
thlS Department will contlnue its weekly sampllng and working
with others in resolving the problem.
Thank you for brlnging this matter to my attentlon~ If you have
any questions or wlsh addltional lnformatlon, please let me know.
Vif4U~
Robert C. Gates
Director of Health Services
RCG:nm
607:063
Attachments
- ~----
.
.
. ATTACHMENT II
.:0
In
-
<:>
<=>
.....
...
-=>
....
<00
.....
....
<:0
.....
~
co
r-
-
<:0
.....
.....
co
...
-
co
a:I
all
'.
0-
CCI
-=>
....
""
....
.....
<:>
,...,
<=>
,...,
.....
'0
...,
,..,
Q
...
r-
.0
....
<:>
CCI
0-
....
...
....
....
o
,....
....
~
"'"
0-
,....
....
co
....,
c-.
o
.....
-"
<:>
...,
....
....
~
o
....
.....
In
.....
co
Do
-
-=>
o
...
Co
....
.....
~
<>:>
Q
"'.
.....
-=>
~
....
0-
r-
-
o
,....
.....
00
a)
-
...
0 ....
0 0
~ In ~..
<:> <:>
:II: 2 0- 0 ..... ..... 0- O' <:> 0 <:>
.... - ... .. - CCI co "" ....
c:>
c:>
-
-
<11
z:
<11
,.
<:
c.o
"" .0
Q <:> c:>
0 <:> Q O'
:II: 0 CI .... Q <00
.... ::c C> 0-
0 - .... - - -
~ "'" <:> <:> ..... ~ ~ ... 0- ~ 0-
<= .... ... ..... - - .....
-J AI: ... .... ... - .. ... .... .....
C ....
'-' co
0-
-'
<I:
- c,;- .
c:r
- .... <:>
, 00
on - <:>
... .....
..... ~ ~ C> - <:> .0
0.. - eo ..... 0 Q Q eo
><: - <:> - .... .... ..... "'" ..... .... .... ....
<I: =:r - ... ..... ,.... t-') ..... .... -..
.., C
tI1
:z
<<
eo:
Q
Q
:II: ..... 0 ;: co 0 C>
""' <:0
c:::I ..... 0, ..... 0- r-- .... ..... ..... <:> ('of
- .... CCI - ,.... ... ..... ..... CD ~..
<11
-J .
~ Q
..., ~
..... --
....
.... ~
<:>
<:> .0 = = ~
co <:> Q <:> 0 <:0 ,.-, ..... ..... ".
In In In CD - .... ,.-, y ..... ,/ :::
....
Q;
~
~
"'"
~
<:0 C> <:> C> C> ~
eo 0 ..... -=> .0 c-. co ..... ..... ....
ED ..... ..., 0- .... ..... CD v - ...... .....
..:
....
.~
O' O' .....
<=> <:0 ~
~ eo .... <:> C> <:> .0 .... -0 ....
"'. ..... ..... .... .... t.. ..... ..... .... eo:
....
>-
....
"" q;
z: ..... '""
-
.... Q., - :::!
2: ...: d: ..... a:: ..... :=
2: <:1 .... := :;:I ...
- - ::z: ..... = <II
.... % % :z ..... 0- .... ::c
a:: <I: 0 c:::l :>- ::z: ..J - ...
= .... >C z: """ ..... ... .... .., 00: ""
:.< % = C ~ .....
:II: "'" ." .., '" , <I: c:r ""' =- = ...
a:: ~ - = tn 0 ..J ..... ..... en = ......
0= -' % c:> ..... ::I: -' 0.. 2: LW -
=:r <I: ~ -= <i: tJ~ "" lC =>- .....
(I) ... <11 on <I: "'" - <% <% -
. . A TTAC:-{r1E~lT I
~
c.
~ '.:> ,. "-> - :=: ..,
,?, "... ,::; .... ~ e -:>
.... .... - ,., - ... tv -
~
co c- o .". .::- -:> Q "" ~..
eo ;::; .-. "'" ...., C'O V'> ..... ...~ ...
co ..., ..... .... ....
.:.-
~
Qo
.:::- c- o :> C> ...
e .... .,.., ...... eo ..::> ~~ -=-
..... .... .... ... 10" ...., ..... ...
.-
e
0::- G>
-=- c:.:,.
....
e e- o <:> ....
.... .... ,"7- .... :; e <:> <::> ~.,
..... .... - .... ... In ... ...
.
....
0-
." "'" co
e e
.... ~.., -
E ~ 0- ~ .....
:=: Q 0- .... ..... 00 Q .... C> .....
,... - ... ... .... co .... .... ...
Q
S"
--
[~
t
<.n
==
.x
<<>
0= eo :s: <:>
c:>
c- o
;..a <=' ..... ~ .:.
::c; =
"'" ..... - .... -
~ t% .0 Q r< (". ..... a- r.;
c. 0>- ~ ..... -- A. <::> N co
-' ;0:: .... ... ... ... CD .... """ .....
.:> ..c
..... ...
~ ~
"'"
-
<=>
- N
,
." :- ~~ e- O>
"'" -' <::> ;;:
--' ;:::l or> .,...
..... ..." :c <:> <:> <:> ~
T- o c>- .".. .-. ....... ..... C>- o ..... '='
~ =' - ... ... ... - - ...... - 0:0
U1 0
<n
Z
"'"
""
e e-
o:>
r.: ...- 6 <=>
oe <=> eo ~ <=> e:
2 on ,.... Q ...... ... .... r... '='
.... .... ... - - - .... ..., -
~ -
-' ...
""
e
..... ~.
...... -
...... <=> ""-
U') "'" ~
...,
::: .;. e:- <::> e -=-~
CO> .., ...., ,., c. ~> N <:> C>
or> .... .... ..... - .., .... ...... ..... -
""
""'
...,
eo ~
'=' a
.... ~
<=> 0 - "=" -:>
e- o- ... - ..., 0 ,..., Q """ e
co - .... ..., ..... ..... .... ... ..... -4
ott
<->
~
00
-'
.... <;> .0 C> c::- o 8:
U":l e- o- N 0- 0 C> C>
- ... - .... ..... ..... ..... - ..... "'"
~
y
~ <:z:
= ~ ....
,...
..., <>.. :!:!
'""
=:!: "'" .q: ..... "'"
~ e ~ ~ " ..... ......
- ..... a:; u>
~ ;:: =: 0 '-' :=
~ c% = .., -' ."
.... ;,<:: ~ ... "'" "'" .;:: ...: GO
0<1: ";- ';0; ;;:- a;: Q ~ .....
7: -<< C """ 0 "" ....
eo:: ..0 - = ~ -' -" .... S '"" .......
:= -" :::= <i ~ % -" ... ..... ,..
;:> q rn ~ =: > ...,
.... ~ .., IV> """ - "'" co:: "I: ...
.
.
I
!
I
Mr. Tom Brady
Counc~lman Marv~n Braude's Off~ce
C~ty Hall, Room 275
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Harry S~zemore
Bureau of San~tat~on
C~ty Hall East, Room 1410
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mr. Sam Furuta
Bureau of Eng~neer~ng
C~ty Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mr. Frank Wada
Hyperion Sewer Treatment Plant
1200 Vista Del Mar
Playa Del Ray, CA 90291
Mr. John F. McElroy
C~v~l Eng~neer 1
Water Conservat~on D~V~Slon
Los Angeles County Flood Control Dlstrlct
2250 Alcazar Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Cal~forn~a Regional Water Quallty
Control Board, Los Angeles Reglon
107 So. Broadway, Room 4027
Los Angeles, CA 90012
.1
;
"
,
,
...1 .r "-
...
.
~..,....iv.i,ve- Ic-t~
/(1 .- f~Fr
n
Project Rl. 43 in Burx!y Dri~
Kenter Canyal ~
Storm Drain in r.....v
l"rDjeet: Nio_~ 57BJ;.f.itr:.",
14th street westerly
of pieD Boulevani
~..lftM7""!II.~
. ~~),
.
.
5961 ;(~J~ldas
.UQld 6und.,~ ~
~ ~Sl?J. A.:luaoo.r.nuI
NIW<l mom .N)}iN\.Q mttl'IDl
.
.
" .
ATTACHMENT III
LOS ANGELES COU~TY
DEPART~E~T OF HEALTH SERVICES
Contact: Public Infor~at~on Off~ce
(213) 974-7707
August 1, 1986
.;
The Los Angeles County Oe?ar~~ent of Heal~~ Services has
announced that three additional storm drains that discharge into
the Santa Monica Bay will be posted with signs advising the publ~c
that ocean water in the area of the drains may be contaminated4
The signs are to be posted as an interim, precautionary
measure pending full results from a five-week sampling study that
began July 28. The study was initiated to obtain a_ statistically
valid data base from samples collected and analyzed over an
expanded period of time. Fur~~er actions regard~ng public advisor~es
will depend upon results from t~at study.
The locations of ~~e d=a~ns to be posted are pulga Canyon,
Imperial Highway and AinsworL~ Court.
The sto~ drain at Ballona Creek 1S included in the study but
is not being posted because its discharge waters are not readily
accessible to beachgoers and the creek channel has already been
posted with warning signs.
The signs will be posted 25 yards north and SOUL~ of the drains.
;
pulga Canyon will be posted by the Department or Beaches and Harbors
by Saturday, August 2 and Imperial Highway and Ainsworth Court will
be posted Monday, August 4.
(morel
i
.
.
"
stor~ dr3.~:lS
ac.~ 1-1-1- 1-';"
The advLsory wL:l be in Engl~shand Spanish and will say:
"War~~~g. Ocean water wLthin 25 yarcs of storm drain may be
contaminated. Avo~d contact."
Last week s~~ilar sLgns were posted at Santa ~on~ca Canyon
at Chautauqua Blvd.; Santa Monica PLer; P~co Blvd., Ashland Ave.
and Avenue I. Those signs were'posted as a result of samples
ta~en on July 21 which indicated bacteria counts may exceed
standards set by the state.
The nine dra1ns being sampled have been selected because they
are most likely to discharge in dry weather. Sampling is being
done in the surf at ~'e discharge point and at 10, 25, SO, 80 and
150 yards north and south of the drains.
The results of samples taken on Monday, July 28 are as
fo llows :
--At Santa Mon~ca Canyon, Imperial Highway, A~nsworth and
Avenue I, state bacteriological standards were met at all
sampling points.
--At pulga Canyon and Ballena C=eek, state standards were not
exceeded beyond ~'e point of discharge.
--At Santa Monica Pier, Pico Blvd. and Ashland_Ave., state
standards were not exce~ded beyond the 25-yard sample point.
The state standard is 1000 coliform organisms per 100 milliliters
of water. The coliform organism used as the standard for coastal
waters and found in storm drain disc~arges is associated with animal
feces and soil, not human sewage.
=t~HHHlti#*
.
LcB- F'f.I CcJUJ),CUL4 ~
w 1t3 Jff-
SANTA
M'ONI'CA
_~~~;~r:'j0.;~r,.}..
.. . >-'t. OL '- ~ ~ ~-=- r._......._~ -......_:.
'7L~"'~L:~ "t-..,~~,.iu.'i1--~
.J"}- ~~ ~?~."-.'":~:-:.... -. ........ - .':...ii~~-e
Stanley E Scholl
Director of General Services
General Services Department
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica. CA 90401-3295
(213) 458-8221
October 13, 1986
Honorable Tom Hayden
state Assemblyman
1337 Santa Monica Mall
Santa Monica, CA. 90401
Dear Tom:
This is in response to your letter of September 23, 1986. As
your letter clearly outlines, the issues surrounding the pico
Kenter storm drain serious but extremely complex and
mUlti-jurisdictional in nature. This storm drain presents an
organizational puzzle in that it was built by the corps of
Engineers and is operated by Los Angeles County under the
direction of the state Water Quality Control Board. Further, the
area served consists of both the City of Los Angeles and the City
of santa Monica.
Recognizing the nature of the problem, technical and policy
representatives from the County and City of Los Angeles, the City
of Santa Monica, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and
the State Department of Fish and Game established a Task Force
over one year ago to reviewal ternative solutions to misuse of
local storm drains, pico Kenter in particular. Solutions will
only come through the cooperative efforts of affected
jurisdictions. since its inception, this body has reviewed many
of the suggestions made in your letter as well as others. It has
been gratifying to note the level of sustained commitment made by
all involved agencies to expedite resolution of the problem,
At the October 8 meeting of the Task Force a five point proposal
was agreed to. The proposed extension of a low-flow pipe 600
feet into the ocean is only one element of the proposal. This
action will remove contamination from the vicinity of beach
users. The other program elements include increased inspection,
enforcement, education, and monitoring, This proposal would seek
to reduce and/or eliminate many of the point and non-point
sources of hydrocarbons and organic contamination.
- 1 -
.
.
Specifically this program would include placing sensors, where
feasible, within the storm drains at suitable intervals to detect
hydrocarbons which may be spilled or dumped into the storm
drains. These sensors would be connected to an alarm system that
the City and/or the County can quickly respond to in order to
prevent these hydrocarbons from flowing into the ocean. This
will be done by using a dam and by pumping the contaminated
material into trucks for transfer to an approved disposal or
treatment site. In addition, these sensors would assist in
identification of the entry point which would aid in discovering
those that are responsible for this contamination.
This package will also include increased enforcement by both the
City of Santa Monica and the city of Los Angeles. Some of this
increased inspection and enforcement work was begun within the
last 30 days,
Regarding the education aspect of this program, the City of Santa
Monica proposes to work with the City of Los Angeles and the
County of Los Angeles to develop an educational program designed
to reach the general citizenry to increase public awareness as to
the results of placing any contaminants in the gutters, streets,
or storm drain system.
This package improvement proposal will be submitted to all
affected or concerned agencies for conceptual approval or
comments within the next two weeks. According to Mr. Gladstein,
your office will be able to provide us with several suggested
agencies in this endeavor. After we receive input from the
various affected agencies and community groups, we will refine
the proposal and make official application to those agencies
which are involved in the official approval process,
We appreciate your willingness to allow Mr. Gladstein to become a
member of the Task Force and participate in continuing
discussions on these subjects. We believe that progress has been
made on addressing practical steps that can be taken to reduce
and eliminate contaminants in Santa Monica Bay which are carried
by this storm drain and will result in a program which you can
support.
Very truly yours,
f~
STANLEY E. SCHO L
Director of General Services
cc: Santa Monica City Council
Multi-Agency Task Force Members
John Jalili, City Manager
SES:dvm
(hayden)
- 2 -
,..-.'-r-
'1--.;
.
.~.
~ D D 10
\~.
0'u
Dennis Zane
Councilman
City of Santa Monlea
Dear Councllman Zane:
I wanted to put in writing some of the concerns of
Heal The Bay WhlCh I expressed to you at our meeting on October
8, I had just received the results of the county Health
Department's latest tests for coliform bacteria in L.A. county
storm drains, I related to you how, at a meeting between Heal The
Bay and the Health Department, we were told that even though the
discharge of the drains and the ocean water near the dralns often
had coliform and fecal coliform counts twenty to fifty times the
state standards, the Health Department refused to admit that
there was a health risk, Their position is that the coliform
counts represent no particular danger and that therefore the
state standards should be ignored.
We lnformed them of reports we had heard from
11feguards about many cases of illness among the Santa Monica
Beach staff, and of the literally hundreds of cases they and
others have reported of children sticking their heads ln the
plpes and playing in the dlscharge. We asked what types of tests
they would take serlously, and were informed that high counts of
interoccocis bacterla would be a cause of great concern, We asked
for their results on those tests and they said that they had
never tested for lnteroCCOC1S bacterla until they were recently
instructed to by the county board of supervisors, They had so far
done 3 tests, but they couldn't give us the results because 5
tests are needed before results become statistically significant,
and in any case, it was possible they would never be allowed to
release the results to us. We 1nformed them of our frustration at
this Catch-22 situatlon - the results they have for Wh1Ch there
are state standards they choose to ignore. The results they don't
have (for which there are, by the way, no state standards) they
take seriously, I urged you to request as soon as possible the
results on the tests for interoccoc1s bacteria from the county
board of supervisors. I also urged you to do all in your power to
close the areas of the beaches around the storm dra1ns to public
access.
A related matter we discussed was the situation
wlth Santa Honlca Beach lifeguards, There is an undenlably hlgh
lncldence of illness among them: colds, bronchlal infectlons, eye
and ear infections etc. In addltion they have complained of
nausea, headaches and dizziness, During one recent tOX1C spill
two lifeguards had to be given oxygen, Sad as it may seem, many
lifeguards, for the1r own protectlon, have filed workmen's
compensation forms stating that they have been adversely affected
by the1r working conditions - those condltlons being that they
have to swim ln Santa Mon1ca Bay, We suggested to the Health
Department that since there are serious doubts about the safety
of sWlmming in the bay, they should undertake a study of the one
population that comes into constant contact wlth the water - the
.
.
lifeguards. They thought that wasn't a good idea because of the
law SU1ts filed against the county by lifeguard who claim they
have become ill doing just that - coming into contact with the
water, So, instead, they have chosen to ignore the s1tuation. I
urged you to request that the county undertake an immediate,
scientifically valid study of the health cond1ton of the
lifeguards.
Finally, we d1scussed test1ng of the drains for
toxics. The Health Department tests only when a spill is
reported, and then not until an hour after the report has come
in, The agencies that do test do so very intermittently - once a
week at most - and then fail to share the data, We th1nk it's
obvious that the toxics that come down the drains do so in
spurts, and that it's imperative that a very frequent, r1gorous
testing program be set up to assess the danger to the public,
There can be no doubt that the recent, publicly-
reported toxic spills and the continual reports of high bacteria
COUnts have undermined public confidence in the safety of
swimming 1n Santa Monica Bay. That confidence can only be
restored by taking bold steps to determine the nature of the
problem, and then implement1ng effective, permanent solutions, I
urge you to continue your involvement in seeing to it that that
is exactly what happens, Thank you for your time,
S1ncerely yours,
Carl Byker, Chairman
Storm Drain Task Force
Heal The Bay
~ '
.
.
A",,/fJ /~~
Dennis Zane
Councilman
City of Santa Monica
OCT 1 4 1985
Dear Councilman Zane:
I wanted to p~t in writing some of the concerns of
Heal The Bay which I expressed to you at our ~eeting on October
8. I had just received the results of the county Health
Department's latest tests for coliform bacteria in L,A. county
storm drains, I related to you how, at a meeting between Heal The
Bay and the Health Department, we were told that even though the
discharge of the drains and the ocean water near the drains often
had coliform and fecal coliform counts twenty to fifty times the
state standards, the Health Department refused to admit that
there was a health risk. Their position is that the coliform
counts represent no particular danger and that therefore the
state standards should be ignored,
We informed them of reports we had heard from
lifeguards about many cases of illness among the Santa Monica
Beach staff, and of the literally hundreds of cases they and
others have reported of children sticking their heads in the
pipes and playing in the discharge, We asked what types of tests
they would take seriously, and were informed that high counts of
interoccocis bacteria would be a cause of great concern. We asked
for their results on those tests and they said that they had
never tested for interoccocis bacteria until they were recently
instructed to by the county boarn of supervisors, They had so far
done 3 tests, but they couldn't give us the results because 5
tests are needed before results become statistically significant,
and in any case, it was possible they would never be allowed to
release the results to us, We informed them of our frustration at
this Catch-22 situation - the results they have for which there
are state standards they choose to ignore. The results they don't
have (for which there are, by the way, no state standards) they
take seriously. I urged you to request as soon as possible the
results on the tests for interoccocis bacteria from the county
board of supervisors, I also urged you to do all in your power to
close the areas of the beaches around the storm drains to public
access.
A related matter we discussed was the situation
with Santa Monica Beach lifeguards. There is an undeniably high
incidence of illness among them: colds, bronchial infections, eye
and ear lnfections etc, In addition they have complalned of
nausea, headaches and dizziness. During one recent toxic spill
two lifeguards had to be given oxygen. Sad as it may seem, many
lifeguards, for their own protection, have filed workmen's
compensation forms stating that they have been adversely affected
by their working conditlons - those conditions being that they
have to swim in Santa Monica Bay. We suggested to the Health
Department that since there are serious doubts about the safety
of swimming in the bay, they should undertake a study of the one
population that comes into constant contact with the water - the
~IJIJ .;, IV....r
OCT j 4 '.
.#
.
.
lifeguards, They thought that wasn't a good idea because of the
law suits filed against the county by lifeguard who claim they
have become ill doing just that - coming into contact with the
water. So, instead, they have chosen to ignore the situation, I
urged you to request that the county undertake an immediate,
scientifically valid study of the health conditon of the
lifeguards,
Finally, we discussed testing of the drains for
taxies, The Health Department tests only when a spill is
reported, and then not until an hour after the report has come
1n. The agencies that do test do so very intermittently - once a
week at most - and then fail to share the data. We th1nk it's
obvious that the toxics that come down the drains do so in
spurts, and that it's imperative that a very frequent, rigorous
testing program be set up to assess the danger to the public.
There can be no doubt that the recent, publicly-
reported toxic spills and the continual reports of high bacteria
counts have underm1ned public confidence in the safety of
swimming in Santa Monica Bay. That confidence can only be
restored by taking bold steps to determine the nature of the
problem, and then implementing effective, permanent solutions. I
urge you to continue your involvement in seeing to it that that
is exactly what happens. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely yours,
Carl Byker, Cha1rman
Storm Drain Task Force
Heal The Bay
1 c;-
~t!: 6-f ~F--~ 7!
at[ ;f/l~~-;d1 v /