CLEAN BEACH INITIATIVE PROJECT PROPOSAL
HUNTINGTON STATE BEACH - SANTA ANA RIVER

LEAD AGENCY

Contact information:
Sonia Nasser, P.E., Engineering Supervisor, Watershed Program
Email: sonia.nasser@pfrd.ocgov.com

Bob Wilson, Interim Manager, Watershed Program
Email: bob.wilson@pfrd.ocgov.com

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Owner Information:
Huntington State Beach - Department of Parks & Recreation
Contact: Don Ito, 8471 North Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA. 92651

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COASTAL BEACH

Huntington Beach is located along the coastal fringe of a highly urbanized region of southern California. The beach is wide and sandy, and prone to wave and current conditions favorable for surfing, bathing, and beach recreation. The beach extends from the Santa Ana River mouth northwest (Huntington State Beach, Huntington City Beach) and southeast (Newport City Beach). The beach is separated from the developed upland areas by Pacific Coast Highway. Northwest of the river there is virtually no residential, commercial, or industrial development on the beach side of the highway. Southeast of the river, a strip of residential development lies between the highway and the beach.

The topography of the area is flat and low-lying, with elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 15 feet above mean sea level. Areas of coastal bluffs, rising to an elevation of approximately 100 feet, are located along Huntington City Beach and inland of Newport City Beach. The Talbert-Lower Santa Ana River Watershed drains to these beaches via a network of flood control channels with two ocean outlets, the Santa Ana River mouth and the Talbert Outlet. The Talbert Marsh lies immediately inland of the latter.

A description of the existing or potential public health or water quality problem at the coastal beach including but not limited to:

Number of postings and closures during the year (2000): One closure occurred between 5/11/00-5/19/000 on the beach between Talbert Channel outlet and Orange Street (Huntington State Beach & Newport City Beach). It was caused by Orange County Sanitation District/Pump Station Equipment Failure, ~5000 gallons of sewage via the Santa Ana River.

Population use impact: 2 million per year at Huntington State Beach

Types and quantities of bacteria, pathogens or other conditions caused posting or closure of the beach: total coliform, fecal coliform/E. coli, enterococcus (see table)

Presentation of studies and supporting data: attached are two studies, conducted in December 1999 and summer 2000; documentation of beach closure investigations conducted during summer 1999 is available at ftp.ocsd.com

Known or possible sources of the bacteria or pathogens: urban runoff, storm water, natural sources, episodic sewage spills, others sources not yet identified (see studies); quantity of flow to be treated: 1.5 million gallons per day

PROJECT INFORMATION

PROJECT LOCATION

Four project elements are located in the City of Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach Channel Pump Station (near Adams Street and Huntington Beach Channel), Talbert Channel (near Yorktown and Talbert Channel), Greenville Banning Channel and in the Santa Ana River before it outlets into the Pacific Ocean. Map to follow.

PROJECT GOALS

To prevent urban runoff from the Talbert-Lower Santa Ana River watershed from reaching ocean waters untreated

Specific mechanism use to reduce beach contamination: divert urban runoff to a sewage plant for treatment before it is discharged to the ocean

Estimate how will this proposed project alter the existing postings and closure situation at the beach, both long term and short term? The project has been conceived as a medium-range strategy to address bacterial contamination in receiving waters of the Pacific Ocean. Although these diversions have the potential to be a long-range solution for urban runoff, it is only one of many contributors to bacterial contamination in this area. Studies currently in progress are anticipated to yield information that will lead to more comprehensive long-term solutions.

Have alternative methods been evaluated for dealing with the existing problem? If so, why were they eliminated as possible alternatives? During the summers of 2000 and 2001 the County installed temporary diversions at these four locations. However, the temporary diversions must be removed before storm season begins, leaving untreated urban runoff flowing directly to the ocean eight months of the year. Diversions with inflatable dams will allow urban runoff to be diverted all year long except during storm events. Long-range solutions for preventing bacterial contamination cannot be devised until additional research is completed that more precisely identifies all the sources of bacteria and their relative contributions to near-shore contamination.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

Two Inflatable dams will be custom-manufactured for the Talbert Channel, and Greenville-Banning Channel. Urban runoff flowing through these channels will be held behind the dams where pumps and pipelines can transport it to sanitary sewer connections. Telemetry will allow remote monitoring of pumping operations as well as off-site control of the pumps and dams. In the event of a storm event, the dams will be deflated either onsite or via telemetry so that peak flows can bypass the diversion system. In addition to the three channels being diverted, one pump station will also be retrofitted to create two options: diverting to a nearby retarding basin or a sanitary sewer connection.

A drop-box structure in the low flow channel of the Santa Ana River will also be constructed. A "dam" like wall will also be constructed to contain urban runoff and divert it into the drop-box structure. The flows from the drop-box structure will then be pumped to a sanitary sewer connection.

A pump station located near the Huntington Beach Channel will be upgraded and utilized to divert urban runoff from Huntington Beach Channel to a sanitary sewer connection for treatment.

Plans and Specifications - 100 percent complete for the Talbert Channel Inflatable Dam, the Santa Ana River drop-box and dam, and the Huntington Beach Pump Station. Plans and specs for the Greenville-Banning Channel Inflatable Dam are 75 percent complete. Estimated timeline for full implementation of the project - Individual milestones in planning, design, construction, until fully operational:

Talbert Inflatable Dam/Santa Ana Drop-Box/Huntington Beach Pump Station

• Plans & engineering specifications finalized: 8/17/01
• Board of Supervisors' Authorization to Advertise for Bids: 8/28/01
• Bid Opening: 9/26/01
• Award of Contract: 11/20/01
• Construction Completed: 5/15/02

Financial Evaluation

• Total capital costs: $2.9 million
• Annual operations and maintenance costs: not available
• Estimated annual or monthly costs to residential, commercial, and industrial users of the project (if applicable): not applicable

Environmental Documents - current status: Negative Declaration adopted 2/6/01

Local Issues: elevated level of public awareness of with ocean water quality and desire for immediate action following extended ocean water closures in Huntington Beach during 1999; Section 13267 letter issued to the County of Orange and five watershed cities in November 1999.

Local ordinances:

Permits: permits secured from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (404), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Streambed Alteration Agreement), and Regional Water Quality Control Board (401). CalTrans and City of Huntington Beach (encroachment permits).

Other agency requirements: Permit and agreement pending with Orange County Sanitation District to accept and treat runoff.