First Rain Means Iffy Ocean Quality

• Runoff Hazard High after Fire and in Drought

Heal the Bay today issued its standard “first rain” warning to residents and visitors to avoid water contact at Los Angeles County beaches for 72 hours due to the recent wildfires and a record drought period.
The area environmental action group points out that the county’s 2800-mile storm drain system has the unintended function of moving pollution directly into the Santa Monica Bay following rainstorms.
After heavy rains, these major outfalls send debris, animal waste, pesticides, automotive fluids and human-gastrointestinal viruses into the marine ecosystem. This pollution poses human health risks, harms marine life and litters the shorelines.
The recent fires scorched vegetation that once helped to filter and stabilize these pollutants. Debris and toxins that have been accumulating for months on sidewalks, roadways and riverbeds are now being washed into the storm drains. It is generally acknowledged that exposure to this runoff can cause a variety of illnesses, most frequently stomach flu.
During dry months, Heal the Bay and county health officials urge swimmers to stay 100 yards from flowing storm drains, which have been shown to have elevated levels of known carcinogens and pathogens.
“Our region’s waterbodies are likely to see unparalleled pollution levels after this rain event due to the recent brush fires and drought conditions‚” said Kirsten James, Heal the Bay’s director of water quality.“It is critical that swimmers are aware of this risk and stay out of the water.”
During the rainy season, Heal the Bay reminds residents that they can take steps in their own home to take pressure off an already taxed storm drain system.
These preventive steps include: keeping trash out of gutters and storm drains, disposing of animal waste and automotive fluids properly, and avoiding overwatering lawns and plants. One can visit the Heal the Bay website at http://www.healthebay.org/waystoheal for more tips.
To access images of storm-drain debris, one can visit the site http://www.flickr.com/photos/healthebay.