Taking the Boo out of Bacteria

You can’t see it but it’s there, hiding out, just waiting for you in the storm drain. It's not a ghost or a scary monster, although it is certainly frightening.

It's bacteria.

Unlike other stormwater pollutants such as oil and litter, bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eye. While most environmental microorganisms are part of a natural healthy ecosystem, there is a small percentage of them, found in dog waste and bird droppings, that threaten the health of our environment. And, because animal waste is, unfortunately, prevalent in our cityscape and can be easily broken down by rain and picked up by excess water flowing off of yards, bacteria are often found lurking in our rivers, creeks and lakes. When these harmful microorganisms find their way to our coastline, authorities are forced to close beaches.

As you may know, we have two water drainage systems in Los Angeles, one for wastewater (sanitary sewage system) and one for stormwater (regional storm drain system). Wastewater from our homes (showers, sinks, toilets, etc.) is treated before it is released back into the environment. Harmful bacteria are removed in the process. However, this is not the case with stormwater, which travels untreated through our regional waterways to the ocean.

To reduce the amount of bacteria in our city's urban runoff and to ensure compliance with state regulations (Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Loads, or TMDLs) regarding acceptable harmful bacteria levels in Ballona Creek and Los Angeles River, the City is employing an array of projects and programs to deal with this hidden hazard. "The first step in this process is to find out where the bacteria are hiding and that means ongoing monitoring of LA's rivers, creeks, lakes and shoreline," says Vivian Marquez, Environmental Supervisor with the City's Watershed Protection Program, in describing the City's strategy to first understand the nature of bacteria, its sources (human, warm-blooded animals or avian) and their hotspots. "Once we identify the type of bacteria in a certain waterbody, then we can figure out their source and develop and implement a best management practice that will successfully reduce the level of bacteria. You must know the beast first before you can slay it," continued Marquez.

Partnerships with other regional agencies have also been key in the fight to reduce bacteria levels along Santa Monica Bay. From Castlerock to Imperial Highway along Southern California's coast, 19 low-flow diversions, owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, City of Santa Monica and County of Los Angeles, divert bacteria-laden urban runoff during the dry summer months to the City's Hyperion Wastewater Plant for treatment before discharge. Annually, these low-flow diversions redirect millions of gallons of polluted urban runoff away from our beaches and into our sanitary sewer system for treatment.

To address the bacteria challenge at the community level, the City recently implemented a pilot Take a Bag, Leave a Bag program in three communities. Working with community leaders in the Elysian Park, Ascot Hills and Sepulveda Basin areas, the City installed permanent dog waste bag dispensers in parks and on trails frequented by dogs and their owners. Partnering community groups agreed to maintain the dispensers by keeping them filled with reusable plastic bags. “We have to work together to reduce the waste and debris that carries harmful bacteria,” says Joyce Amaro, City of Los Angeles Stormwater Public Education Manager. "A big part of this is making dog waste bags accessible to dog owners so that it is convenient for them to always pick up after their dogs," Amaro continued. It is the City's hope to be able to expand this partnership program in future years.

There are several easy ways residents can team with the City to reduce bacteria levels in urban runoff. First, always pick up after your dog. In addition to carrying baleful bacteria which can cause illnesses in people, dog waste can also carry viruses such as Canine Distemper and Canine Parvovirus that are harmful to dogs. Second, only spot apply fertilizers (even if organic) and never use fertilizers or pesticides before a forecasted rain event. This will prevent the fertilizer from being washed off your lawn and into our creeks, rivers and lakes.

Reducing pollution in our creeks, rivers and lakes is a team effort. Utilizing evaluation, engineering and education, the City is doing its part to lower the levels of bacteria in our regional waterways to create a safer and healthier Los Angeles. Yes, bacteria may be a spooktacular pollutant, but together we can take the "Boo!" out of bacteria.

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