By Patrick Zabrocki
Recent news headlines have reported "BEACH CLOSURES SKYROCKET IN 2003" or "CRITICAL INCREASE IN BEACH POLLUTION REPORTED." Although media has a tendency to exaggerate news, it's true. A new report published by the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) claims that according to data collected in 2003, nationally more beaches are being closed because of contaminated water than ever before. However, what that really means is that more coastal cities are actually testing the water quality. THE WATER HAS ALWAYS BEEN POLLUTED, now we just know about it.
Why Testing Is A No-Brainer
If people start getting sick every time they go in the Ocean, then they won't come back. That would be disastrous for California's economy, because 537,310 jobs and approximately 50 billion dollars can be attributed to coastal tourism.
Not only does polluted water do damage to the economy but also it damages the health of Ocean visitors. A study cited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft guidance document on water quality found that surfers and divers are at greater risk of illness from contact with contaminated beachwater than are swimmers or waders.
You can contract gastroenteritis, hepatitis, salmonellosis, shigellosis, infection cause by E. coli, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems if you surf or swim in polluted water. The key to prevent contracting these unsavory medical ailments is to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. Is your local break tested? How often? Who tests it? What do they test for? What do the results mean? These are the questions to which every surfer should know the answer.
Water Testing In San Diego
Unlike most states in the country, California has extensive monitoring programs up and down the coast. San Diego's water quality monitoring program is ranked high in the state and has the difficult task of monitoring the coastline from Camp Pendleton to the Mexican border as well as the Mission and San Diego Bays. The County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health (DEH) collects samples from 107 testing locations that are sampled at least once a week from April to October, including 13 beach stations that were monitored weekly in November and December in 2003 (visit www.earth911.org to see exactly where they are located). Some beaches are tested year-round but the focus of the testing is conducted during the summer, when the beaches are most heavily used.
Understanding The Test
When a study or an agency "tests" the water, what do they actually test for? Simply put: bacteria. Specifically, "indicator" bacteria, called total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus
Coliform Bacteria
The indicator bacteria that are most commonly examined are called "Coliforms." Coliform bacteria originate from soils, plants and human and animal wastes. Although not all coliforms are harmful to humans, the presence of high numbers of coliforms in a water body is a good indicator that the water is polluted with harmful microorganisms and viruses. A sample taken that contains 10 organisms to 1 milliliter would exceed the California standard for clean water.
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Fecal Coliform is a specific kind of coliform bacteria that are found primarily in the intestinal tracts of mammals and birds. These bacteria are released into the environment through human and animal feces. The presence of fecal pollution may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. One species of fecal coliform bacteria is the infamous E. coli bacteria, which has been linked to numerous food born illness outbreaks in the United States. A sample taken that contains 4 organisms to 1 milliliter would exceed the California standard for clean water.
Enterococcus
The enterococcus group is a subgroup of the fecal streptococci. The enterococci portion of the streptococcus group is a bacteria found in the human intestine and therefore a good indicator of human waste. A sample taken that contains 102 organisms to 100 milliliter would exceed the California standard for clean water
According to studies conducted by the EPA, enterococci have a greater correlation with swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness in both marine and fresh waters than other bacterial indicator organisms, and are less likely to "die off" in saltwater.
Degrees of Danger
There are three levels of contamination warnings used by the DEH to warn the public. Each one has a specific degree of danger related to the degree of pollution in the water.
ADVISORY
An "Advisory" or "Warning" is usually the consequence of bacteria levels in monitoring results exceeding California standards. The source of contamination is usually unknown and, although the area may not stink like sewage or be closed to contact, only a fool would paddle out after seeing this sign.
CLOSURE
When the "KEEP OUT" signs are posted the area is closed to water contact due to a sewage spill or sewage contaminated runoff. These signs indicate that the area poses the greatest health risk to Ocean users.
GENERAL ADVISORY
A "General Advisory" does not always include signs. A General Advisory is issued for ALL COASTAL WATERS for 72 HOURS following rainfall amounts greater than 0.2 inches! The reason for this drastic warning is because when it rains all of the pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, litter, oil, etc. get washed off of paved surfaces inland and down storm drains and into the ocean UNTREATED. A good phrase to remember is, "Shit on the streets end up on the beach."
Surfrider Support - Blue Water Task Force
The Surfrider Foundation has mobilized its chapters and members to gather and test water samples similar to the County's testing procedures. The volunteers that participate in the Blue Water Task Force gather the samples to double-check and to extend the County's monitoring and, more importantly, involve the community to provide a learning experience and raise awareness of coastal pollution to the public. The samples are taken every Sunday at locations up and down the coast of San Diego. New volunteers and sample locations are always needed and encouraged to visit www.surfridersd.org for more information.
Results
In 2003, San Diego County beaches had 1115 water quality closure and advisory days as a result of reported contamination events, not including beaches posted under a chronic status. The county experienced 32 days when ALL coastal waters were under a General Advisory due to urban runoff after a rain event. According to results of tests taken during the April to October months the following trends in water quality monitoring occurred from 2000-2003:
Monitoring Trends for San Diego County
From April to October
2000
2001
2002
2003
# of Closures and Advisories
206
159
122
123
# of Days Posted
1156
843
804
493
# of Routine Samples
34914
3092
3522
3334
# of Samples Causing Advisories (unknown sources)
170
131
98
99
# of Closures Due To Sewage
23
15
19
19
Source: County of San Diego
These results reveal that on an overall basis the water quality of San Diego County is getting better in terms of bacteria levels, BUT, these are only samples taken from April to October and only sample for bacteria. San Diego has been experiencing a major drought in recent years, which could result in less beach closures and advisories. Also, toxins that are in urban runoff continue to increase as urban development is always increasing in San Diego and testing for these contaminants is costly tests for viruses, hydrocarbons, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, metals, or other pollutants are routinely performed. Even though improvements to the amount and types of tests can be made beach visitors should be happy that large steps have been taken in recent years to improve our understanding of where the Ocean is, or is not safe to swim in.
Where You Fit In
While regulations and testing sho
