Council Adopts Water Pollution Control Plan

Hoping to help clean the waters at local beaches, the Laguna Beach City Council this week approved a water pollution control plan for the city.

The plan calls for the city to meet with representatives from the county and other agencies to discuss pollution-testing protocol for streams and beaches and to step up a campaign to educate residents about how to avoid polluting local waters, especially Laguna Canyon Creek.

In addition, the city will post health warning signs at storm drain outlets throughout the city.

“It just seems to me [that] this is the start of making some real progress,” said Councilman Paul Freeman, who joined in the unanimous vote Tuesday night.

The council was urged on by members of the Surfrider Foundation, who volunteered to help.

“This is a great beginning to [solving] a long-term problem,” member Bob Foes said.

The plan had its genesis in July, when Councilman Wayne J. Baglin urged the council to take a variety of steps to reduce ocean pollution, in part by cleaning the water that runs through Laguna Canyon Creek and onto Main Beach.

Both the County Health Department and Surfrider Foundation collect and test samples of local waters.

In the past, there has been some disagreement between the two regarding testing methods, according to a memo to the council from City Manager Kenneth C. Frank. However, the memo says it appears that the two sides are coming closer to an agreement.

Once the protocol has been worked out, Baglin said Thursday, volunteers will launch a “pathogen detection program” to pinpoint sources of pollution along Laguna Canyon Creek.

“I am exceptionally pleased,” he said.