Reduction of metals ordered by regulators

San Diego and several other agencies must reduce the amount of metals fouling Chollas Creek by roughly 90 percent over the next two decades, according to a mandate issued yesterday by regional water regulators.
These pollution limits begin the large steps that need to be taken,” said Benjamin Tobler, who helped craft the metals initiative for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The cleanup is significant because of its size, the price tag – possibly more than $1 billion – and the precedent it sets for reclaiming once-ignored urban waterways in the county.

San Diego, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and the California Department of Transportation are primarily responsible for meeting the new anti-pollution standard, which focuses on copper, lead and zinc. Major landowners such as school districts, the county and the Navy also are on the hook to help reduce those contaminants.

It will be challenging work because the pollution sources are widespread and tough to control. Metal contamination is largely linked to urban runoff, particularly copper dust from brake pads, zinc particles from tires and lead from car exhaust.

Trash and industrial operations in the creek's heavily urbanized watershed also contribute to the problem.

REDUCING METALS IN WATERWAYS FOR RESIDENTS:
Don't dump automotive fluids, such as oil, into storm drains.
Report illegal dumping to city or county storm-water agencies.
Don't wash cars in a driveway or at curbside. Go to a business that recycles its wastewater.
Erect fences that don't have a zinc coating.
Ensure that a vehicle's wheel-balance weights are secure.

FOR AGENCIES:

Increase street sweeping.
Add filtering devices at storm-water drains.
Expand the amount of open land so more storm water can drain into soil.
Push for less use of metals in brake pads.
SOURCES: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, Coastkeeper, city of San Diego
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