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The report addresses the following four areas identified in the directive:
The results of the weekly monitoring (see Monitoring
Results below);
A description of the Permittee's efforts to identify the
persistence, the significance and, to the extent feasible, the causes of the impairment
or exceedance, and to the extent feasible, the technical and economic feasibility
of control actions available to the Permittees to reduce or eliminate the impairment
or exceedance (see Actions Taken by Permittees below);
A description and evaluation of the effectiveness of
the structural and non-structural Best Management Practices ("BMPs") currently
implemented to ensure that the discharge of bacteria and other pollutants to the storm
water conveyance systems, which discharge specifically to the Creek or its tributaries
is prevented (see Effectiveness of Actions below); and
An update of the time schedule and work plan for eliminating
sources of bacteria and measures to prevent pollutants from contributing to any violation
of the REC-1 standard (see Actions for the Upcoming Quarter
below).
Monitoring Results
Monitoring was conducted weekly throughout the quarter
at 35 storm drain inputs ("inputs") of 39 inches or greater to Aliso Creek,
Wood Canyon Channel, Sulphur Creek and English Canyon Channel ("the receiving
waters"). The constituents monitored were total coliform, fecal coliform, Enterococcus,
estimated flow, pH (monthly) and total chlorine (monthly). Twenty-five weeks of sampling
have now been conducted through the first two quarters. While the first Quarterly
Progress Report summarized the results of the first 10 weeks of sampling this report
will focus on the last 15 weeks.
In addition to the inputs, the Permittees conducted monitoring
in the receiving waters upstream and downstream of each input at approximately 60
locations to provide information on the overall health of the Aliso Creek watershed
and to characterize the significance of the inputs on the Creek. The receiving water
monitoring included the addition of continuous flowrate measurements in Aliso Creek
for a one-month period. This information was important for assessing the significance
of the inputs on the quality of water in the Creek immediately downstream of the inputs.
The main findings of the second quarter monitoring are as
follows:
The bacterial quality at the Creek mouth (SOCWA station
C1), immediately upstream of the beach where most water contact recreation occurs,
slightly exceeded the REC-1 criteria during the last three 30-day periods (geometric
means of 372 MPN/100 ml, 315 MPN/100 ml, and 205 MPN/100 ml for fecal coliform vs
200 MPN/100 ml for the REC-1 criteria). These results were comparable to those from
the first two 30-day periods reported in the first Quarterly Progress Report.
The bacterial quality in the receiving waters was above
the REC-1 and REC-2 criteria in many locations (the REC-1 criteria was not met 100%
of the time and the REC-2 criteria 52% of the time). These results were similar
to those reported in the first Quarterly Progress Report.
The bacterial quality in the inputs to the receiving
waters was elevated in most locations. While the inputs are not designated as having
a recreational beneficial use, comparison to the REC-1 and REC-2 criteria for discussion
purposes only indicates that these thresholds were frequently exceeded (the REC-1
criteria was not met 100% of the time and the REC-2 criteria 98% of the time)
Fecal coliform concentrations remained low in Laguna
Niguel Lake, indicating that the Lake attenuates the elevated inputs from Sulphur
Creek
Flow estimates indicate that a cumulative flow of approximately
2.1 cfs (930 gpm) was monitored from the inputs during the 15-week monitoring period.
This compares to 3.8 cfs (1700 gpm) monitored during the first 10-weeks.
During the entire 25 weeks of monitoring the pH in
the inputs was within an acceptable range (6.5 to 8.5) in the majority of measurements
(92% of the time)
Total chlorine, which indicates the presence of water
disinfectants, was detected in all inputs. In 58% of these samples the concentration
of total chlorine exceeded 0.1 mg/l
The method for statistical analyzing the data was enhanced
with additional information from the continuous flowrate measurements in Aliso Creek.
This additional information led to a greater degree of confidence in the statistical
relationship between the bacterial inputs from the drains and the concentration
of bacteria in the Creek downstream of the drains.
Actions Taken by Permittees
The Permittees have continued to implement and maintain
the ongoing Best Management Practices ("BMPs") that are intended to improve
bacterial water quality such as drainage facility maintenance, catch basin stenciling,
street sweeping, public education, new development BMPs and activities to detect and
eliminate illegal discharges and have continued to pursue implementation of the structural
retrofitting projects identified in the last Quarterly Progress Report. The following
new activities or enhancements were initiated during the quarter:
New Activities/Enhancements
ALISO VIEJO
- Drainage Facilities Maintenance
The City has begun to locate and acquire drainage
area maps and construction design drawings for the storm sewer system from the
County of Orange, beginning with the J01P28 drainage area.
On October 10 and 11, 2001, at the request of the
City, the County of Orange performed an underground inspection of the J01P28 storm
drain system that includes the subsystem J01P40. The inspections revealed a number
of deficiencies which the City will pursue with the County for maintenance.
On October 23, 2001, at the request of the City, the
County of Orange cleaned all the catch basins along the J01P28 storm drain system.
The County removed 4 cubic yards of debris consisting of 5% plastic, 5% vegetation
and 90% soil.
- Public Education
The City will be producing its first issue of a citywide
newsletter in November 2001. A significant portion will be dedicated to stormwater
quality concerns.
- Detection, Elimination of and Enforcement Resulting
from Illegal Discharges
The City has assumed code enforcement responsibilities.
The City's Code Enforcement Officer will be participating in the County's NPDES
Authorized Inspectors program beginning November 2001.
- Water Quality Enhancements
The City is working with the County of Orange to explore
the feasibility installing a Clear Creek treatment system in J01P28 which would
treat this runoff to REC-1 levels and possibly for reuse.
- ACTION PLAN
The City's environmental staff have prepared a Draft
Strategic Plan which outlines actions the city plans to take in response to water
quality concerns raised by the Aliso Creek Directive, the monitoring data, and
the requirements of the pending NPDES permit.
Based on the first quarter monitoring results, the
City has selected J01P28 as its highest priority storm drain and conducted a surface
reconnaissance of the drainage area.
LAGUNA BEACH
- Drainage Facility Maintenance
The city is currently inspecting and cleaning all
of its storm drains.
It assisted with Coastal Cleanup Day on September
15, 2001 where volunteers picked up litter from its beaches.
It continues to install continuous deflector separator
units in its efforts to reduce non-point source pollution.
It has also applied for grant funding to design and
install additional diversion devices over the next year.
- Catch Basin Stenciling
The city has installed approximately 250 markers and
plans to install another 500 by the end of the calendar year. The plaques read:
"Keep It Clean - Drains To Ocean".
- Street Sweeping
Starting October 1, 2001 the City increased its street
sweeping operations from twice a month to once a week.
- Public Education
The City is embarking on a number of public education
projects to increase awareness of methods for eliminating non-point source pollution.
- Detection, Elimination of and Enforcement Resulting
from Illegal Discharges
The city is currently interviewing qualified candidates
to fill a newly created Senior Water Quality Analyst position. Its police department
has added a new investigator position to assist in the enforcement of water quality
regulations and the criminal prosecution of serious violators.
- New Development
The city has required the Treasure Island developer
to install a nuisance water diversion device to treat and divert polluted flows
to a sanitary line for treatment.
- ACTION PLAN
Since the city does not contain a drain that meets
the selection criteria for monitoring, no high priority drain was identified and
no action plan was prepared.
LAGUNA HILLS
- Drainage Facility Maintenance
All the catch basins along the J06P02 storm drain
have been inspected and cleaned. A total of 340 pounds of debris was removed from
the catch basins, consisting of approximately 45% soil, 47% vegetation and 8%
paper. Ninety percent of the city's catch basins have been cleaned this year.
The city will complete this effort by the end of October 2001.
- Catch Basin Stenciling
This year the City with the assistance of The Boys
Scouts of America installed approximately 380 catch basin markers.
- Public Education
City staff attended a "Trails-4-All" volunteer
clean up day in Aliso-Woods Canyon Regional Park on September 15, 2001.
- Detection, Elimination of and Enforcement Resulting
from Illegal Discharges
The city's underground inspection of J06P02 did not
reveal any illicit connections, but did find one illegal discharge from a restaurant.
The city identified three occurrences of potential
illegal discharges of contaminated surface water from one residential site and
two commercial sites upon routine area inspections.
- ACTION PLAN
The City of Laguna Hills coordinated with the City
of Lake Forest in selecting J06P02 for detailed investigation.
LAGUNA NIGUEL
- Drainage Facilities Maintenance
An inventory was made of recreational areas along
Sulphur Creek in Laguna Niguel.
The city has given high priority to the J03P05, J03P13,
J03P01, and J04 sub-watersheds for follow-up investigation. Maps of subwatersheds
were complied, including an aerial photo, topography, land use and homeowners
association information. Drainage facility investigations and maintenance were
also performed on these facilities.
The city made preliminary assessment for possible
structural retrofitting in J03P13and J03P01 and treatment opportunities in J03P05
and J04.
- Street Sweeping
The city noted that the experimental catch basin curb
face grates, installed in the first quarter, were quite effective in keeping trash
and leaves on the street where the street sweepers could pick them up regularly.
- Public Education
The city distributed letters advising all 94 Homeowners
Associations' management companies of their potential new responsibilities under
the terms of the draft NPDES permit.
The city also placed an article in the citywide quarterly
recreation brochure explaining the issues and responsibilities residents have
in controlling pollution in urban runoff.
- New Development
During the Second Quarter, the City's Planning, Community
Development and Construction Inspection staff attended training workshops on NPDES
permit requirements, BMPs, and SUSMPs.
- Water Quality Enhancements
Environmental Interpretive Facility Along Sulphur
Creek
The preliminary architectural schematics were developed
for the proposed Aliso Environment Center
Sulphur Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project
The city was notified that the application for an
Urban Streams Restoration grant had been approved for funding. The grant is for
$341,000.
La Paz Park Mitigation Projects
The monitoring of the off-site mitigation projects
indicated that vegetation establishment was proceeding very well. Construction
of the on-site Project was started in late June.
- ACTION PLAN
To continue City's current efforts.
LAGUNA WOODS
- Catch Basin Stenciling
The City initiated its first catch basin marking program
during the second quarter. All 60 catch basins in the City will be marked by mid-October
- Public Education
The City Council has established a subcommittee to
deal with water quality issues.
- Detection, Elimination of and Enforcement Resulting
from Illegal Discharges
The City of Laguna Woods has assigned 0.25 FTE (full
time equivalent) of a code enforcement officer, 0.25 FTE of an inspector and 0.3
FTE of a planner to issues of water quality within their jurisdiction.
- ACTION PLAN
Since the city does not contain a drain that meets
the selection criteria for monitoring no high priority drain was identified and
no action plan was prepared.
LAKE FOREST
- Drainage Facility Maintenance
The City inspected the storm drain main lines, laterals
and catch basins of J01P08, J01P01, J06P02 and J01TBN3. The inspections revealed
no debris accumulation
- Public Education
The City has installed over 40 "doggie bag"
dispensers in its 19 parks.
It has sent letters to all homeowner's associations
advising them of the NPDES Permits under consideration by the San Diego and Santa
Ana Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
The "Special Edition - Water Quality Focus on
the Future" brochure is under preparation for distribution to all residents
to increase public awareness about water quality issues, sources and solutions.
- New Development
The City is implementing a project this fiscal year
to design and construct improvements to watershed tributaries in order to reduce
the amount of undesirable materials that enter the storm drain system and the
creek. Improvements to be considered are wetlands, storm water separators and
low-flow diversions. The budget for this project is $385,000.
- ACTION PLAN
Based on the County of Orange's monitoring results
the city has prioritized and identified eight storm drains for investigation.
Of the eight stormdrains identified, those that were considered to be of the highest
priority for investigation were J01P08, J01P01, J06P02, and J01TBN3. These drains
were inspected for illegal connections, illegal discharges, waste materials and
seepage. The inspection found no occurrence of these items in these drainage systems
within the jurisdiction of the City.
MISSION VIEJO
- Drainage Facilities Maintenance
Between August 1, 2001 and October 31, 2001 drainage
system maps were used to identify and perform a special cleaning of all the catch
basins along the J07P01, J07P02, J01P03, J01P04 and J05P02 storm drain systems.
The catch basins were cleaned either by hand crews or vacuum trucks. This special
cleaning was in addition to the city's routine catch basin inspection/cleaning
program. These catch basins had already been cleaned within the past year.
- Public Education
On Wednesday, October 17, 2001 the City of Mission
Viejo held a Citizen Education Forum in the evening. A presentation was given
on issues related to water quality with an emphasis on "What You Can Do to
Help."
The City has installed standardized Water Quality
Warning Signs at approximately 20 locations along Aliso Creek.
- Detection, Elimination of and Enforcement Resulting
from Illegal Discharges
A new Code Enforcement Officer was hired to specialize
in water quality issues/education/enforcement. This new officer started on October
1, 2001.
- ACTION PLAN
The City has selected J07P02 as the city's highest
priority stormdrain. The city contracted the County of Orange to perform a full
underground inspection of J07P02, J07P05 and all connected subsystems. This inspection
was completed on August 21, 2001. The inspection reported that animal/wildlife
fecal material was found (primarily from bats) throughout the entire storm drain
system. No illicit connections, cross connections with sewers, infiltration, or
signs of illegal dumping were identified. As a result of this inspection the entire
underground system was cleaned with hand crews. The animal/wildlife fecal material
problem will be evaluated further and a proposed BMP to reduce the impact of wildlife
on the water quality within the storm drains will be developed.
Effectiveness of Actions
In the last Quarterly Report it was noted that the more immediate indicators of the
effectiveness of structural and non-structural controls could be obtained through
either conventional water chemistry monitoring or the assessment of non-conventional
data. In this quarter the latter was used through the presentation of results of drainage
facility inspection and maintenance activities. The results of these activities within
each city's respective jurisdiction were summarized above and in more detail in the
report and appendices.
Actions for the Upcoming Quarter
The Permittees identified a significant number of ongoing and proposed activities
for improving water quality in Aliso Creek in the first Quarterly Progress Report.
These activities continue to be worked on during the third quarter and, additionally,
the following new efforts will be initiated or continued:
Each Permittee, where possible, has selected at least one high priority storm drain
input for intensive investigation and improvement in the remainder of the third quarter.
Some of the activities in these investigations have been reported by the cities in
this report. The results of the activities that have yet to be completed will be reported
in the third Quarterly Progress Report. These activities include:
- Preparation of drainage boundary maps for the selected
storm drain input that includes, but are not limited to: land use types, topography,
major sewer lines, reclaimed water lines, septic systems, homeowner or community
association areas and jurisdictional boundaries
- Field reconnaissance for potential causes such as
illicit connections, illegal discharges, accumulated waste materials and seepage
through the joints of the storm drain that may be indicative of sewage or groundwater
- Increased cleaning of identified problem catch basins
and debris accumulated in the storm drains themselves as a follow-up to the field
reconnaissance
- Focused public education through appropriate newspaper
articles, inserts in homeowners association newsletters or direct communication
with residents
- Identification of structural retrofitting opportunities
if they exist.
The monitoring program in the third quarter will include
the following:
- Monitoring will continue at the present frequency
at the 35 inputs and in the receiving waters, but monitoring will be discontinued
at J01TBN5 and J01TBN6 which were dry on all 25 prior visits.
- The temporary streamgauges installed on Aliso Creek
will continue to gather data until November 1, 2000 or just prior to the forecast
of significant rainfall.
- A streamgauge will be installed at the bridge to the
Coastal Treatment Plant.
- A comprehensive survey of stream velocities will be
conducted from the AMWA Road bridge to the mouth of the Creek using Rhodamine dye
in order to determine water travel times.
- Weekly bacteriological sampling will continue in Aliso
Creek upstream and downstream of Sulphur Creek, and at the AWMA Coast Treatment
Plant bridge.
- Baseline monitoring in the areas of the planned watershed
enhancement projects will be initiated.
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