Protecting Our Beaches

Blue skies, sun and inviting ocean waters add up to another postcard-perfect Orange County day. Yet over and over this year, those waters have been off-limits because of pollution.

Sewage pipe failures and urban runoff no longer are occasional inconveniences. Huntington Beach last summer saw the terrible effects on the economy and beachgoers’ tempers of shutting down a major source of recreation during the prime period.

Orange County already has logged two dozen beach closures this year. No longer are sewage problems largely confined to rainy season overflows. The problem now exists year-round.

Last weekend, a water main and sewage pipe ruptured in Dana Point. That sent about 8,000 gallons of untreated waste into the ocean, forcing the closure of a stretch of water along Capistrano Beach County Park.

That disrupted the plans of those hoping for a nice outing at the shore. It also increased demands on lifeguards, who found themselves scrambling to shoo from the water those who had not read the yellow off-limits signs.

Health care officials face problems as well. A state law that took effect last summer requires counties to test ocean water periodically for bacteria. If the levels are high, they simply can put up warning signs. That increases the pressure on health monitors from weekend swimmers and the businesses that depend on their patronage to let swimmers and surfers decide whether to risk the water. When raw sewage is discharged, there is no option; the beach closes.

Last month, several popular spots along Huntington Beach received advisories warning of high bacteria levels. The source could have been animal waste, soil and decaying vegetation, or human waste. The levels caused worry among Health Care Agency workers that the county could be in for another summer with posted hazardous warnings for miles.

To try to avoid that, county officials last week announced a plan to divert and treat millions of gallons of runoff a day and pipe it five miles out to sea. Storm drains also will have their discharges rerouted to sewage treatment plants. Although unprecedented in scope for Orange County, the fixes are only temporary. But they do represent a worthy recognition of the extent of the problem.

A coalition of groups, including the county and environmental organizations, has called for building a laboratory that can do a better job of finding in ocean waters organisms that cause illness and not just bacteria that indicate the possible presence of the organisms. State Sen. Ross Johnson (R-Irvine) is seeking $1.24 million in state funds for the lab.

The Orange County Coastal Coalition also is seeking matching state funds to help local governments divert urban runoff, a problem that will not be solved easily or cheaply.

These and other programs can help make a dent in the pollution problem. But also, sources of upstream pollution must be addressed by government, businesses and ordinary citizens.

Orange County’s beaches are too valuable a resource to have the problems be met with shrugs of the shoulders. Cities especially must be vigilant as infrastructure grows older, looking for weak spots in sewer lines and enforcing laws against dumping toxic chemicals in storm drains.

Laguna Niguel is feeling the lash from the state because of the too-frequent pollution in Aliso Creek. The city says it will spend $11,000 a month to divert storm drain water to a treatment plant. It also has assigned two full-time employees to monitor the creek and oversee bacteria tests. Failure to improve the creek could bring state fines on the city and county of up to $5,000 a day.

From Seal Beach to San Clemente, businesses rely on the visitors whom beaches attract for much of their income. Orange County’s shoreline is an asset for respite and recreation that must be protected.