HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2009-11-09 #IAGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 9, 2009
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: David Carmany, City Manager
FROM: Joe Bailey, Marine Safety Chief
SUBJECT: OCEAN WATER QUALITY TESTING
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Receive and file this report on Orange County water quality testing.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past 40 years, the County of Orange Health Care Agency —
Environmental Health and two local sanitation agencies (Orange County
Sanitation District and South Orange County Wastewater Authority) have been
cooperatively testing the coastal waters in Orange County for bacteria that
indicate the possible presence of disease - causing organisms. The City's Marine
Safety staff was notified in early October that bacteria testing will be discontinued
in Seal Beach from November 2009 through March 2010 as a cost - saving
measure given that the agencies are not required by law for weekly testing in
Seal Beach.
The City Manager received the following correspondence from the Chief of
Orange County Environmental Health Division:
"The weekly ocean water quality monitoring conducted by HCA from April
1 to October 31 is mandated by State statute and the State currently
provides funding for this monitoring. The State funded period is for what is
considered the highest ocean use months (summer). During the five
month period from November 1 to March 31, costs for monitoring were
offset by the County General Fund. HCA is implementing necessary
program reductions due to a reduction in General Fund, specifically
discontinuing sampling at 97 locations from November 1st to March 31'
which includes Seal Beach locations. In the absence of a backfill of the
funding reduction, HCA will not be able to sample during the winter
months.
Agenda Item
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From November 1 to March 31, HCA will continue evaluating samples
collected by the two regional wastewater authorities and will implement
public notifications as necessary. The existing regional wastewater
agencies monitoring locations were established as part of the State, and
Federal ocean outfall permitting process. These sampling locations are
located at specific interval distances to the geographical location of
each agency's offshore outfall pipe and is used to determine if the
treated wastewater plume maybe coming onshore. Currently, Orange
County Sanitation District's most northern sun` zone sampling location
does not extend past Bolsa Chica State Beach. Therefore, weekly
sampling from Sunset Beach to Seal Beach will not occur from November
1 to March 31.
HCA will continue weekly ocean water quality sampling and compliance
determination from April 1 to October 31 as mandated by State statute
which includes Seal Beach locations."
During the winter months, one of the main causes of water warnings in Seal
Beach is the run -off from rain storms. Storm drains empty into the San Gabriel
River which empties into Seal Beach carrying debris from streets and gutters. It
is suggested to swimmers to stay out of the water for 72 hours after a rain storm.
With the outfall of the San Gabriel River in Seal Beach, year round water quality
testing is important for the safety of beach goers.
This is the second year in a row Orange County Environmental Health has
threatened to suspend testing over the winter months. This winter the Orange
County Sanitation District, the South Orange County Wastewater Authority, and
OC Watershed are going to step into the void and continue testing throughout
Orange County. This plan is contingent on obtaining permits from the Regional
Water Quality Boards.
In preparation of this plan failing or testing reductions in the future, staff has
contacted a number of State - certified test laboratories which have provided
quotes to implement a City testing program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
Below is the potential cost to the City of Seal Beach to continue water quality
testing from November to March, should that become necessary.
Currently there are 5 test sites in Seal Beach, and the cost estimate is
approximately $50.00 per site. Additionally, a $25.00 pick -up fee is charged, for
a total of $275.00 per test day. We are also requesting a lifeguard to take the
samples each week. Staff suggests that the City continue with once per week
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testing which would be 20 weeks total, as well as an additional 5 test days to
retest any positives, for a total of 25 tests.
25 tests @ $275.00 /test site per day = $ 6,875.00
Labor (25 days @ $154.00 /day) _ $ 3,850.00
Total $ 10,725.00
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file this report.
SUBMITTED BY:
Bailey
rine Safety
NOTED AND APPROVED:
OV
David Carmany
City Manager