Ask the Director
I understand that Ventura's ocean water is regularly tested for pollution. Please let me know more about the sources of ocean water pollution and how we can prevent it.
The ocean water quality at Ventura's beaches is tested
each week to determine if the level
of certain bacteria presents a safety hazard. This testing provides you
with information to make educated decisions about where and when to go
swimming in the ocean.
Occasional high levels of bacteria can come from many
different sources. Cows, horses and other livestock are commonplace in
watersheds outside of the City. Rain can carry the feces of these animals
to the Ventura or Santa Clara River and on to the ocean. Birds, dogs and
illegal encampments are also possible sources. These isolated instances
may seem insignificant, but when compounded with thousands of other sources,
stormwater
pollution results.
Pollution is also created during the first rainfall of the season. Rain creates slippery streets by lifting and transporting motor oil and other pollutants. These pollutants are carried directly to the ocean without any treatment. The same is true when you wash your car or driveway and the dirty water runs down the street or when you overwater your lawn and runoff goes into the gutter. Urban storm drain systems are designed to prevent flooding by transporting water directly to the ocean and do so without any filtration or treatment.
Ventura has a Stormwater Quality Program, which focuses on reducing pollution that may contribute to unsafe beach conditions. We have programs for safe construction practices, safe business practices, illicit discharge inspections, street sweeping and regular maintenance of the storm drain system. One important part of our program is to educate people about how rainwater and runoff lift and transport pollutants to the ocean without the benefit of treatment. Pollution caused by humans, pets, livestock, businesses, agriculture and other sources are carried by waterways straight to the ocean.
What can we do to help prevent ocean water pollution?
During recent cleanings of storm drains, we found a lot of yard clippings that had been left in street gutters and washed into the storm drain system. These clippings block the flow of water and rot in the storm drain system. Rain then washes the polluted water to the ocean. Each of us must make sure to dispose of yard clippings in the green-waste container, not the gutter. Within our urban environment, pet waste is a primary pollutant of concern. It would help if we all did a better job of disposing of pet waste. It should be disposed of in a covered garbage can or into a toilet. Pet wastes contain unusually high concentrations of harmful bacteria and can have a significant impact on our water quality. We have installed pet waste bag dispensers in many locations to assist in picking up after our pets.
Our "Don't Dump-Drains to Ocean" stencils on drainage inlets are also an important reminder to stop the practice of dumping used motor oil or litter into storm drains. One quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water. Motor oil also contains dozens of other pollutants that are of concern to our environment. We appreciate our citizen's continuing efforts in cleaning up our environment. For more information about the City of Ventura's Stormwater Quality program, please call 652-4582.
"Ask the Director" Questions:
- Some areas of Ventura's beaches are cleaned more frequently. Why?
- Where are the City beaches and how often are they cleaned?
- Are there volunteer groups which help out with beach maintenance?
- How can we prevent ocean water pollution?
- What is the latest news about fixing the bike path at Surfers Point?
- How does the City figure out when to trim trees and how do I contact the City to have this done?
- The City used to spray olive trees to prevent fruit from developing. What happened to this program?
- What is the neighborhood replanting program and how can I get involved?
- Do I need a permit to use a park?
- Reclaimed water - the other water source?
- My street has potholes and cracks. When will the City fix it?