California Commits to Significantly Reducing Storm Water Pollution
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 01.19.08
Image courtesy of mr.bmonroe via flickr
After years of unsuccessfully prodding, environmental groups scored a victory last Friday when they reached an agreement with Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, that would see the government agency reduce storm water pollution by 20% below 1994 levels. The agreement would prevent millions of gallons of runoff from state highways in Los Angeles and Ventura counties - covering more than 1,000 miles - from flowing into local estuaries and beaches.
Caltrans will need to have completed the new pollution controls by 2011, which leads many environmentalists to believe that the reductions will likely be achieved by 2015.
Past EPA assessments of Caltrans drains in the LA area have shown that contamination levels - from the millions of gallons of oil that run from roads and sidewalks - were so high that the discharge qualified as "hazardous waste."
Research has consistently shown that the toxic runoff can seriously harm a variety of marine organisms, including fish, shrimp and sea urchins. In 2004, Caltrans had agreed to treat this runoff wherever "feasible" for projects involving more than 3 acres; NRDC and BayKeeper went to court after finding that the agency was having trouble complying with that settlement. This new agreement is significant because it requires targeted reductions in runoff, eschewing the previous piecemeal strategy that enabled Caltrans to consider highway corridors on an individual basis.
"Not setting goals has been standard operating procedure when regulating storm water discharges in the state. Now we are setting an end goal. Hopefully, this new approach will provide a model for local governments, transportation agencies and industries," said David S. Beckman, an attorney for NRDC.
Via ::Los Angeles Times: State to curb toxic runoff (newspaper)
See also: ::Why One Suburban Atlanta County Has No Drought Problem, ::Some More Good News: Recovery Suprisingly Fast for Mercury-Plagued Fish
good to hear. maybe they are taking baby steps, but in my opinion every step counts.
@ Rita Wolk
I agree - it is a step in the right direction and that is where we need to go - Step over step - step over step.
Does anyone know how they clean the storm water - as in what method? It would seem to be a huge task to undertake because the volume of water and anyone who knows how it is done I would appreciate you posting a link.
Cheers - Eric
David Blume says cattails are effective at bioremediation, particularly of estrogen mimics. Paul Stamets uses fungi. I do not know what they now plan to use in California, but if you are interested in this for practical application in your own area, David Blume and Paul Stamets are pretty good guys to look up.
The treatment of stormwater runoff is fairly complex, with the most common treatment being large sediment basins (big ponds basically) to allow sediment to settle out. They're often used in conjunction with chemical flocculants (alum for example). Other measures include sand filters and the use of various flocculants. The treatment required depends on the sediment present, ie clays need to be chemical treated while silt will gravity settle out.
I think focusing on treatment is a little shortsighted, it'd be far more effective to focus on prevention. Preventing the inital erosion, changing construction methodology, effective drainage etc.
@ Mary Saunders and @ drew
Thanks for the information and the leads - I will see what I can find on the net.
@ drew
A quick question - I am not sure I follow on how changes in construction methods make a difference - do you mean the use of on site rainwater catchment systems? I thought storm water was a by product of road run-off - or is that only part of it?
Cheers - Eric
Hey Eric,
I was speaking from my experience as an environmental officer on construction projects (rail and road). The article talks about hydrocarbons which are an issue, but I was more talking about the impact of sedimentation and increased turbidity. I just see the potential water quality impact from construction (especially during the wet season or with particularly erosive soils) being a big issue.
I guess once the road is built, fully revegetated and stable its not much of a risk really.
I'd agree with mary though, constructed wetlands can be very effective and are a very cool solution.