In Tainted Waters, More Under Surface

Re “Get Serious About Runoff,” editorial, July 1:

I agree with the statement that “the county needs a better way to make a connection between water quality and illness.” Recently, several people have mentioned to me that they have gotten sick after going to the beach and being in the water.

As a doctor, I have asked them if they reported this sickness to their doctor or the county Health Care Agency. Although one said he informed his doctor, and was treated, the doctor did not report this to the county because he was not required to.

I wonder how often this occurs. I suspect most, if not all, illness from exposure to ocean water goes unreported, and thus government officials responsible for public health remain ignorant of the extent of the problem. I suggest the county Health Care Agency post signs on the beach that if people get sick from the water, they should call a certain number. They can also send a letter to the physicians in the county advising them to report water-related illness, a form to fill out to document the illness, and a phone number to call.

Jan D. Vandersloot

Newport Beach

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Your editorial has it right that all is not well along the shoreline and O.C. is no longer immune to beach closures and unacceptable bacteria counts.

However, you are looking in the wrong place for the primary perpetrator when you assume that the chief culprit is urban runoff.

Los Angeles has just as much, if not more, urban runoff but has solved the problem Orange County is just now finding out about.

The big difference between the two is that Los Angeles, years ago, went to full secondary treatment of its sewage (elimination of live bacteria), whereas Orange County hasn’t.

The Clean Water Act required full secondary treatment by 1985. Orange County then consisted of fewer people and was able to get a temporary waiver in 1977. This waiver has been renewed every five years, while O.C. sewage has grown far beyond the capacity of the ocean to absorb it.

One wonders, is The Times, like most of Orange County, unaware of this unpleasant fact, that the Orange County Sanitation District still avoids secondary treatment of all its sewage?

Citizens are attending city council meetings throughout Orange County in the 21 cities and four districts that make up the Orange County Sanitation District to win the 13 votes it will take to bring Orange County sanitation into the 20th century. Then we can start on the 21st.

Doug Korthof

Seal Beach *

Re “Grand Jury Tackles Runoff,” June 21:

The Orange County Grand Jury report has confirmed the efforts of the Clean Water Now Coalition, Surfrider Foundation and CoastKeeper in regard to creek and ocean pollution.

The Clean Water Now Coalition board and its supporters wish to thank the grand jury members for their attention to this increasingly complex public health and safety issue. The degradation of our watersheds and beaches, belonging to all residents by birthright, is at a critical phase because of urban runoff.

Roger von Butow

Clean Water Now Coalition Laguna Beach