Harbor Lights-Food for thought, and Fish
The bacteria colony south of the Redondo pier that blooms on rainy days appears to result from something more than the standard urban street runoff.
Los Angeles County measures TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load of bacteria) in the vicinity of piers because they attract two of the largest generators of water-borne bacteria, humans and animals. Walk along the south and west portions of the pier where people fish and you’ll see fish guts, bait and various other types of slime everywhere. This, in turn, attracts birds, who contribute their own brand of waste.
When the birds aren’t on the pier feasting on fish entrails and the remains of Chicken McNuggets, they’re taking siestas on the breakwater, where they seem to enjoy relieving themselves. A sizable seal and sea lion population also hangs out near the harbor entrance, where they eat, sleep and emit bacteria. Currents along this part of the coast tend to move slowly in a southerly direction right toward the spot south of the pier where water samples are taken.
The city has followed the recommendations of the Water Quality Task Force (WQTF) that was formed by the mayor. By 2009 Redondo had routed rain gutters on the pier through an “alternate system” and ensured the drains from fish cleaning stations drained into the sewer system. It may be a bit soon to draw conclusions but of the five years of available data, 2009 had 50 TMDL violations, the highest in a single year.
The city also received $325,000 from the Los Angeles County Sanitation District to develop bacterial source identification. They’re trying to determine who or what is putting the bacteria in the water.
I have a theory about that. Simply having a pier probably doesn’t account for more than 140 TMDL violations in the past five years at the site south of the Redondo Pier. If you look at the piers to our immediate north, fewer than 10 percent of the samples at Venice, Manhattan and Hermosa exceed state standards. Malibu, Santa Monica and Redondo all violate regulations at least 25 percent of the time.
Venice, Manhattan and Hermosa all have people, fish, birds, sea animals and a slow moving southerly current. The other three have an additional ingredient that may account for their bountiful bacterial stew, restaurants.
Redondo Beach needs to formulate a comprehensive plan that will ensure restaurants in the pier and waterfront area achieve bacteria-neutral status. The Clean Bay Restaurant Certification program (http://www.santamonicabay.org/smbay/ProgramsProjects/PollutionPreventionProjects/RestaurantCertification/tabid/135/Default.aspx), is a great start but it hasn’t done the job here or in Santa Monica or Malibu. We need higher standards and a cooperative effort between the city and businesses..
Comment on this or any other King Harbor topic at www.kingharborboater.com click on the “blog” link. Munns is a member of the City of Redondo Harbor Commission. ER