HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem L City of Seal Beach
Agenda Report
Date: April 22, 2002
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: John B. Bahors
City Manager
Subject: Results of Catch Basin Filter Testing
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Receive presentation on the results obtained from the catch basin filter testing. This is the
first set of test results from a selected sample of the catch basins installed on October 15,
2001. The purpose of this presentation is to increase public awareness for this program to
improve ocean water quality.
BACKGROUND:
Using grant funding from the County of Orange, the City of Seal Beach installed 116
catch basin filters at various locations throughout the City. In Phase I of this project the
116 catch basin filters were closely monitored by staff and eight sites were randomly
selected for testing. Samples were taken from the eight catch basin filters and sent to a
laboratory for analysis. The laboratory analysis included testing for 16 different metals
and two types of hydrocarbons. In addition, the material from all catch basins were
weighed and characterized.
Attachment A is a summary of the testing results from the eight sites throughout the City.
A majority of the sites registered above the detectable limit for metals, and it is
interesting that lead was found in all the sites despite the use of unleaded fuel. These
metals and chemicals come from a variety of sources. Metals such as copper and lead can
come from automobiles parts. For example, lead is used in brakes, tires, fuel and oils.
These metals can also come from atmospheric contributions outside the City of Seal
Beach. Diesel fuel exhaust can contribute to increased readings for chromium, silver,
mercury, copper and zinc. Of particular interest are the readings for gasoline and diesel
fuels that registered above the detectable limit. In fact, one site at Aster and Basswood by
the tennis courts showed an elevated level of diesel contamination that warrants further
investigation by staff. The level of hydrocarbons found during the testing is somewhat
surprising given that the eight sites selected are in residential areas. Staff is considering
sending a target mailing to homes near this catch basin filter informing them of the
testing results and requesting their assistance to correct the problem.
All 116 catch basins were cleaned after four months of operation. Approximately 2.27
tons of debris was removed from the catch basin filters. This is debris that would
ordinarily go into the storm drain system and make its way to the ocean. Staff believes
that once all the catch basins in the City are retrofitted with filters,there will be a
significant increase in the diversion of debris and a corresponding reduction in pollutants
reaching the ocean. Staff has found over the last five months that several of the 116 filters
required more frequent cleaning due to poor construction management practices.
Specifically, staff found contractors washing sand and gravel down the gutter and into the
filters. Staff is monitoring these certain locations and will attempt to educate contractors
about the negative impacts caused by washing debris down the gutter.
After reviewing the data collected from the first cleaning, it appears that a majority of the
waste collected falls within three broad categories: trash, silt and green waste. Clearly
this is the result of living in an urban area that is fully developed. Trash, green waste and
silt all produce negative impacts on water quality but can be corrected by public
education. As staff collects more testing data, education programs can be tailored to
address the problems being found within the catch basin filters. Further, the educational
materials can be targeted to specific locations identified by the testing rather than the
more expensive approach of citywide educational efforts. As more testing is conducted
staff will have greater information on the problem areas within the City and how best to
improve the situation.Testing is the best method to identify where to spend the City's
limited water quality resources.
Staff is anticipating receiving funding from the County to complete Phase II of the Catch
Basin Filter project before the end of the current fiscal year. Phase II will install 90 catch
basin filters and result in all catch basins being fitted with filter units.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Phase I was funded with a$30,000 grant from the County of Orange with a$30,000
contribution by the City. The City's Phase II grant request was approved by the County in
the amount of$37,484, and will be matched by the City in order to complete the citywide
catch basin program. Testing and cleaning during the first year was included as part of
the grant funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive presentation.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A) Summary of test results for catch basin filters
•
', '- QM CO Q Q 00 aO OO N N N- N Q Q N M M OD
O• z7 MZZ (p ? 60pO47ZzO co
U)
0
0
Ct
M
L• QMU) QQto000NO0N00 '- No)
E ZvZZ � � 2 ZZa- rev
- oivoor �
U)
Co
0
CC
W 0N0000C? M V 0N00000 x- CO 0 (O
d Z0NZZrnN (N- N tea- oim
0
N
N
0 (0a- 0 0 (MM (Oo) QMN- 0 0 N0 ON-
W
Z i0 0 Z Z M v- N z O N z z (O I". 0) 0
n. O M O N «') .- o) ,_ V)
0
co CO
v a)U
O C
O (B
U `
Q V' N Q Q N to M (O Q (O o) Q Q (O CO d 1- to
(G N t� O ti ti N ' N c
W
a. Z dm Z Z ' O Z v 0 Z Z O
c -p a)
C O o N
U U a) :• o o L
3 >. 3U) 0
N wUv .0 V, 07 0
m N 0
c a o m -
Q o) Q Q co. O N r CO N Q Q N CO CO 00 0 3 CO N rn
w zo) NZZ - � 4c,') � O `- Z Z '7N '3 N N "- Y 0 O Q�
■� do '- N N N .-- a- a- a- " ` a3
C d m 06 d pp c C C
co (v, (6 .U Q Q Q
U m W O U O J co
U Q J
C •
00) 0) 0Q (o (ovNMrnI- QQvrn coo >, o
O Z � OOZZO � O � � NNZZM � MZ ) 3 3 � W W a. 0 0
_Ne 0 N M N 00 0 0
' 73 "O N U
UO D U U E
0 � p p (v, , (NI o
O
a) M O - C.) Q' Q'
N N J M N r• M
CD
C 0 ) NQQNN. cM ' MN00to .- 'C 0.O g z °zzNti ' 00
t".. zzNU) Mz
z, i- I- N vN Ti M o)
as
E 0
E
7
Cl) M
C)) M to '- to to '- t0 - t0 - t0 - t0 .- t0 to 0 to
Y O O O O O '— O O
E
ct
J m N
0 U
c -
0£1)
C d
O 2 .c
-2 o 0 O
O` — 0
D
T = p
E
c -
00
O
7 N
E m 0 0 E
0 2 0 a
>, E E c E E m o c
c E . 0 () 0 E 0 a) c Qz o
U 7
0z ii 46
Tu s a c--p o 0 n m >.U a) > a) c c CO to 0 ;: x Q a)
2 QQmm000U _, 2zcnu) F- > 'N 0 a QZ -0