Seven of Ventura County’s beaches were voted to be removed from the impaired water body list, also known as the 303(d) list by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LA-RWQCB). The beaches, which consistently met water-quality objectives for indicator bacteria, have shown to have a significant improvement in water quality through results below the levels of concern for beach users’ health.
The beaches that were previously identified as being impaired for bacteria included Point Mugu, Ormond, Port Hueneme Beach Park, Peninsula, San Buenaventura, Surfer’s Point at Seaside, and Rincon Parkway.
Data from the weekly beach water quality testing performed by the Ventura County Environmental Health Department was used to show the improvement. Monitoring of these beaches will continue to keep the public informed of beach water quality.
On the forefront of taking action to improve water quality is the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program, a coalition of the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, the County of Ventura, and the ten cities within Ventura County. Together, they have worked to build infrastructure and raise awareness of pollution.
Examples of their efforts to help reduce pollutants from entering the storm drain system range from physical solutions to prevent runoff from reaching the beach including diverting storm drain runoff to sanitary sewers or capturing and infiltrating runoff through green streets projects designed to slow, filter, and cleanse stormwater; and working with the public to prevent pollution at the source.
“Efforts by the public are a huge part of this success. Little things like picking up after pets, not littering, and watering only plants and not the gutter helped,” said Arne Anselm, Deputy Director of the Ventura County Watershed Protection District. “We are proud the State acknowledge these improvements and of our efforts and those by the people of Ventura County. The cities and County of Ventura are committed to improving water quality and protecting everyone who enjoy our beautiful Ventura County beaches.”
For more information about the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program please visit www.vcstormwater.org and Ventura County’s Community for A Clean Watershed www.cleanwatershed.org.
