Laguna Beach City Council Addresses Urban Runoff Questions

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Laguna Beach officials approved a resolution to increase vigilance in protecting urban runoff from entering the ocean, but not before a further discussion of sidewalk cleanliness, and the actions of Laguna's fuel modification goats were called into question.

On Tuesday night, during the review of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board's guidelines, Councilwoman Toni Iseman discussed the idea to "be allowed to hose off the sidewalks and streets, when it isn't raining, to allow the water to go to the dry water diversion and sewer treatment plant."

Sidewalks and streets must be cleaned, she said and has plans on asking for that at the next water quality meeting.

"Imagine how much cleaner runoff would be when it rains if we spray off sidewalks and streets when it is dry?" she said.

Coming up with ideas to keep runoff clear and clean is not new for Laguna Beach. The city has improved storm drains and has worked to regulate municipal stormwater in San Diego County, south Orange County cities and southwest Riverside County.

After the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition initially began their efforts in 2012 to create a Marine Protected Area, fish, marine wildlife and tidepool crustaceans have all returned, according to a report by the Orange County Register. That success spurred the city councilmembers to be vigilant with high water quality standards.

"This is another step to control runoff into the ocean," he told the OC Register. "We intend to keep enforcement, making sure water is as clean as it can be for the whole region."

City Manager John Pietig said "we are very fortunate to be able to divert runoff directly to the sewer treatment plant," he said. "That system is a huge benefit for our community."

As for the goats, "we need to figure out a way" to keep both their biological waste and overeating that leads to erosion mitigated, Iseman said, laughing that "goat diapers are not an option."

With careful watching of the goats, to avoid eating to the point of erosion, as well as keeping the city clean by using dry water diversion in areas where it is controlled, "I think it's a win-win."

Photo: Laguna Beach Lifeguard Tower, courtesy Melissa Brower