For Cleaning Up Polluted Runoff In San Diego
The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) on Feb. 21 took a positive step toward reducing future pollution to bays and beaches in San Diego County. Boardmembers unanimously approved a new storm water permit that sets controls on the discharge of pollutants into storm drains for the county, the Port of San Diego and cities within the county.
 The new storm water permit approved in February will set controls on pollutants discharged into San Diego waterways via storm drains. |
Environmental Health Coalition had advocated for the development and adoption of a stringent storm water permit in an effort to prevent the continued contamination of San Diego’s waterways by polluted runoff.
"The Regional Board is to be commended for setting a clear course of action and a vision for how we as a region will clean up our coastal waterways," said Laura Hunter, Director of EHC’s Clean Bay Campaign.
The new permit is clear and pro-active, Hunter said, and implements pollution prevention as an essential element in cleaning up San Diego’s polluted waterways. "Developers now must plan with the region’s water quality in mind. Water quality in San Diego has been ignored for too long."
Currently storm drains discharge water contaminated with garbage, soap, fertilizers, pesticides, oil and grease and sediments from construction sites into San Diego waterways. The permit requires municipalities, the County and the Port to create and enforce more stringent storm water regulations, fund needed infrastructure improvements, and take actions to reduce pollution from new and existing developments, industries, businesses and homes.