Marine Pollution Bears Attention

The Sanitation Districts of Orange County would like to commend The Times for its reasonable and fair reporting on the recently released U.S Environmental Protection Agency report on contamination in sediments.

The Times accurately noted that this problem exists due to long-ended use of chemicals such as DDT and PCBs. Both chemicals were banned from general use in the United States in the early 1970s.

Unfortunately, as The Times also noted, these chemicals do not disperse, degrade or otherwise disappear, and there are not easy or cheap ways to remove them from the ocean sediments, which are in over 100 feet of water and spread over many square miles of ocean floor. The problem should receive our attention. The good news is the marine environment here in Orange County shows very good health despite those past practices.

Most of the data contained in the EPA report on sediment quality off Orange County’s coastline came from the Sanitation Districts’ extensive ocean monitoring program. Much of it was from testing prior to 1991. More recent testing by the Sanitation Districts shows improvement in the sediment quality.

Sanitation Districts testing also shows improvements in the health of the marine organisms that live in the sediments.

The Sanitation Districts are committed to providing high quality waste water treatment services, and we believe that our commitment is reflected in the improving marine environment. The Times article mentioned that our permit for discharge into the ocean was being reviewed. Part of this review will be an open discussion of how we treat waste water and what level of protection is needed for the marine environment. Those wishing to be involved [can] call us at (714) 962-2411.

NANCY WHEATLEY

Director of Technical Services

Fountain Valley