Keeping the Beaches Clean

The importance of beaches and clean ocean waters is no surprise to county government officials. Last year saw a record number of beach closings due to pollution. This year brought an expanded program of ocean testing, which started several months before the state required it.

The importance to the local economy and lifestyle of one of the region’s greatest natural resources, the Pacific Ocean, is all around us. Thousands jammed the Huntington Beach sands to watch the Gotcha Pro contest two weeks ago. Not many miles south, in Dana Point, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn. was holding its 10th annual Waterman’s Ball. Surfing spinoffs are big business these days, whether in boards or swimwear, sunscreen or sunglasses. The association’s ball raised an estimated $200,000. Fittingly, the money is to be shared by four groups dedicated to cleaning up the oceans or helping sea life.

One beneficiary is the American Oceans Campaign, which lobbies Congress to pass clean-water protection laws. Another is the Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project Inc., a program based in Florida to rescue sea turtles.

The association also turned its attention closer to home when it included the Surfrider Foundation as one of its beneficiaries. The foundation is based in San Clemente and has done good work in educating the public about the dangers of pollution to beaches and water supplies. Also honored was the Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point, which presents environmental and educational programs.

Increased testing of ocean water off Orange County is all to the good. Posting information about bacterial levels will give swimmers more data to use in determining whether to enter the water. Last week, health officials posted warnings and then closed Huntington State Beach from the Santa Ana River to Beach Boulevard after there was contamination thought to be caused by a broken sewer.

The new state regulations bring some uniformity to pollution gauges. Previously, officials in coastal counties made their own decisions on whether waters were safe. Some tested periodically at different locations. Others sampled for one or another indicator of the presence of bacteria, which advocates for cleaner ocean water said was too imprecise.

The state regulations require sampling weekly at popular beaches. When various types of bacteria reach a certain level, signs must be posted to warn swimmers of the potential for illness. Importantly, the state has allocated about $1 million to help counties pay for sampling.

A study in Santa Monica Bay three years ago found that people swimming in water close to storm drains were nearly 50% more likely to develop colds, sore throats or other illnesses than those swimming in cleaner water. Although most Orange County beaches get good ratings for water quality, last year’s El Nino rains generated pollution that caused many beach closings. Waters inland from the ocean also have caused problems in Orange County.

Last month a new watchdog group called the Orange County CoastKeeper announced its formation at docks alongside the Rhine Channel in Newport Beach. The channel, inland from the Balboa peninsula, has a bottom littered with sediment that includes arsenic, lead and mercury. The Regional Water Quality Control Board rated it the No. 1 toxic hot spot in the county.

CoastKeeper officials said they hope to recruit volunteers to check for pollution along the county’s beaches and harbors. The more trained observers to alert county officials to problems, the better.

The beaches provide enormous pleasure and are a major lure for visitors. They need protection to ensure they remain an asset.

All the activities we have mentioned reflect this growing awareness. They are a reminder also that clean beaches and water begin with decisions that we make every day as individuals.