Heal the Ocean is looking forward to the on-line publishing of the U.S. Geological Survey’s final report, “Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Urban Streams and Ocean Beaches, Santa Barbara, California,” which is currently going through final scientific review before being published by USGS in the on-line Journal of Annals of Environmental Science.
Heal the Ocean participated with the city of Santa Barbara in the three-year investigation by the USGS to study the possibility or likelihood of groundwater transport of human pollutants (septic and/or sewage waste) to the ocean. We were able to contribute over $60,000 to the study due to generous multi-year grants from an anonymous Orange County foundation.
When the USGS report is published, HTO will provide a link on our website.
Some conclusions from the study:
- Point sources dominated FIB contamination to streams during baseflow (non-rain), and non-point sources dominated FIB contamination to stream during stormflow (rain);
- In most areas FIB concentrations in shallow ground water were low, suggesting leakage from sewer lines and laterals connecting sewer lines to residences;
- Ground water flow at West Beach was toward a regional sewer line, which acted as a drain;
- Sewage from the sewer could not move toward the beachfront and ground water discharge at the beachfront was small;
- Discharge from nearby streams also contributed FIB to West Beach, especially after stormflow.
As a result of the USGS study, the city of Santa Barbara has taken proactive measures by connecting the Haley Street storm drain to the city’s El Estero wastewater plant, and also sleeving the sewer main along the Cabrillo Blvd. waterfront.
