Board OKs State Study of Tainted Creek

A state study to conduct genetic fingerprinting of the bacteria contaminating the San Juan Creek watershed in south Orange County won authorization Tuesday from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

The $100,000 study, which the state would pay for, would help scientists and environmental experts determine the threat posed to humans by pathogens near the mouth of the creek as it flows through San Juan Capistrano and onto Doheny State Beach.

In recent years, the creek has become a site of troublesome urban runoff, much like Aliso Creek to the north.

During 1998’s El Nino rains, South County beaches were hit hard. In February that year, a pipeline broke and sent 3 million gallons of waste water down San Juan Creek and into the Pacific Ocean. Portions of Doheny State Beach and the shoreline as far south as San Clemente were closed for more than three months.

The State Water Resources Control Board in San Diego has identified the creek as “impaired,” a designation that mandates cleanup efforts under the federal Clean Water Act and puts the burden on the state to restore it.

If bacteria levels are not reduced, the state water board can fine the county.

County officials are trying to have the creek added to the Army Corps of Engineers’ project list, which would mean that its resources could be used for the cleanup. To do so, they need to know more about what causes the pollution.

Supervisor Tom Wilson said that, although the study may seem to be just a small step toward water quality restoration, “it’s a step in the right direction.”

Many South County residents, especially beach swimmers and surfers, have complained that the government has been slow to address the creek’s pollution problems.

“We do care,” Wilson said, “and it is taking a long time. But when you start working with the Army Corps of Engineers, it takes time. The process is definitely moving forward. And it is an opportunity, especially because it’s DNA testing and it’s a brand-new technology.

“Once we identify the contaminants, we can stop them.”

The 18-month study will identify which tributaries within the watershed are causing the high bacteria counts. In addition, genetic fingerprinting will tell experts whether the bacteria is caused by humans, shore birds or animals: pets, horses or wildlife.

Once the sources of pollution are known, an effective strategy can be developed, county officials said.

Last year, the Corps of Engineers requested information on the creek’s bacteria levels. The county applied for a state water board grant then, but it was denied.

In January, attacking what it called, “the state’s most insidious water pollution problem,” the resources board pushed ahead with a sweeping effort to clean up the urban runoff that has tainted California’s coastline for decades.

The state board unanimously approved a 61-point battle plan that could rival the long-running regulatory fight against smog in Southern California.

The ambitious blueprint requires strict monitoring of coastal water quality and calls on state and local governments to aggressively clean up sources of pollution, which can range from pesticides to metals flecked off auto brake pads to the mountains of muck produced at dairy farms.