SR-6-X (9)
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OCT 2 9 139;
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Council Meeting: October 29, 1991
Santa Monica, California
To:
Mayor and City Council
From:
City Staff
Subject:
Request to Appropriate $25,000 and Authorize the
city Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement
with the American Oceans Campaign to Complete a
Study of Toxic Pollutants in storm Drain Runoff
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends Council appropriation of $25,000 in matching
funds from the Wastewater Fund to share in the costs of a study on
toxic pollutants in storm drains which will be commissioned by the
American Oceans campaign. The total estimated budget of $50,000
will be shared equally between the American Oceans Campaign and the
City. Council authorization for the City Manager to negotiate and
execute an agreement with the American Oceans Campaign pertaining
to the proposed study is also requested.
DISCUSSION
Sixty four storm drains empty into Santa Monica Bay. Previous
testing indicates that some of the storm drain effluent entering
Santa Monica Bay contains toxic chemicals. This effluent could,
therefore, pose a risk to human health if the concentrations of the
toxic chemicals are significant and public exposure is not
controlled. Toxic pollutants also have a deleterious impact on the
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ecology of the Bay. Toxic runoff is a concern both for periods of
dry weather flows and storm flows. The presence of significant
levels of toxic chemicals would also raise policy implications with
respect to enforcement actions by cities against illegal dumping or
other prohibited activities.
Although it is fairly certain that a wide variety of chemical
substances enter Santa Monica Bay via the storm d~ains, a
comprehensive testing and evaluation program has not yet been
undertaken. Differences between storm drains in terms of chemical
effluent and other variables associated with urban runoff have also
not been adequately studied. For these reasons, it is recommended
that the City participate with the American Oceans Campaign in a
comparative study of four storm drains to assess the risk from
toxics entering Santa Monica Bay.
The overall objective of this proposed study is to gather data on
the identity and quantity of toxic chemical constituents in urban
runoff from four storm drains which are considered "worst case"
examples in order to amplify our limited understanding of the toxic
chemical problem. The results of this study will be combined with
other complimentary research efforts on storm drain pollution
currently underway to facilitate development of a plan which will
define a prudent monitoring program for specific toxic chemical
agents known or suspected to be entering the Bay through the storm
drains. The study will also provide a basis for an assessment of
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potential health and environmental risks associated with urban
runoff into the Bay. The project manager for the study will be Dr.
John Froines of UCLA.
The four storm drains to be tested will include the pico Kenter
storm drain, Ballona Creek Channel, Imperial Highway drain, and the
Westwood Channel. Samples will be collected between October, 1991
and April, 1992, to include both dry weather and storm periods. The
funding support from the city of Santa Monica will be used
primarily to finance the testing and analysis of the pico Kenter
Drain, but will also allow the scope of study at all four drains to
be expanded to include testing for pesticide contamination.
The City of Santa Monica is currently in the planning and design
phase for a storm drain treatment/reclamation plant to be built
during 1993. It is the belief of City staff that this proposed
toxics study will not delay the environmental and design review
process for this treatment facility since the proposed facility
would only be able to remove biological contaminants (bacteria and
viruses). It has never been envisioned that the proposed treatment
facility would be able to treat for toxic chemicals, heavy metals,
other such constituents. City staff will also ensure that the
following additional concerns are addressed in a final agreement
with the American Oceans Campaign:
1) The study should arrive at conclusions as to the relative
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human health risks associated with toxic contaminants in storm
drains i. e., how does the observed level of contamination
compare with other benchmarks such as drinking water
standards, effluent pumped into the Bay from the Hyperion
Treatment Plant, etc.;
2) A representative(s) from City staff should be included as a
member on the review committee which is established to
evaluate the results and conclusions of the study prior to
publication; and
3) Funds should be released to the project manager in the form of
progress payments based on the completion of established
milestones.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the staff recommendations will result in the
appropriation of $25,000 from the Wastewater Fund reserves to
account 31-500-661-00000-5506-00000. The total estimated budget for
the study is $50,000, one-half of which ($25,000) is to be provided
by the City and one-half of which ($25,000) is to be provided by
the American Oceans Campaign.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Council appropriate $25,000 from the
wastewater fund to account number 31-500-661-00000-5506-00000, and
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authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement
with the American Oceans Campaign for completion of a study on
toxic chemicals in storm drains.
Prepared by:
stan Scholl, Director of General Services
Craig Perkins, Environmental Services Manager
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