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Port's Stormwater Team in Action

Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

When heavy rain falls, the Port of San Diego's Environmental Services Department heads outdoors and right into the eye of the storm.

Donning rain gear, members of the Stormwater Management Program span out across the tidelands to collect samples of stormwater runoff during the "first flush," which represents runoff produced during the first few hours of the storm.

A photo taken at Chollas Creek a few years ago illustrates the amount of visible trash that is dumped into San Diego's waterways. But this is just the tip of the iceberg – what's not seen are microscopic pollutants such as bacteria, grease, oil, metals, pesticides and fertilizers.

"Capturing the 'first flush' is important," said Karen Holman, Senior Environmental Specialist and Stormwater Program Manager. "The majority of pollutants are collected within the in the initial hours of a rain storm, as rain transports dirt, debris, and wastes from streets, yards, and upstream areas that have collected during dry periods. The first flush is where you are likely to see the highest levels of polluted runoff. Capturing this runoff gives an indication of what may be getting into San Diego bay and other coastal waters"

Urban runoff is considered the biggest contributor to coastal water pollution. During storms, polluted runoff enters curbside storm drain and flows untreated into the bay and coastal waters. Polluted runoff results in beach closures and drinking water contamination, putting our health and the integrity of our natural resources at risk.

When the rain starts, multiple members of the Port's stormwater team move into action around San Diego Bay. They are dispatched to the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, the National City Marine Terminal, the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal, as well as construction sites along the tidelands. Once on site, the team collects water samples, which are sent to a lab to analyze runoff characteristics.

Their goal is to ensure Best Management Practices are being followed.

"BMP's are in place to reduce pollution and prevent discharges to storm drains and the bay," Holman said. "When the water quality information indicates that pollutants are observed, we work to develop focused activities that reduce pollution levels."

With more than 600 tenant and sub-tenant leases on the Port tidelands, the Environmental Services Department works with tenants to prevent polluted storm water from entering San Diego Bay. Throughout the year, they also work with the Port's General Services Department and Engineering Department to maintain and clean portions of the stormwater conveyance system that are managed by the Port.

The program is paid for through the environmental services budget. No taxpayer dollars are used for this or any Port of San Diego programs. The program's extensive education element helps promote pollution prevention and the awareness of stormwater issues.

"We have been working extremely hard to educate our staff and our tenants on the preventing discharges and minimizing the pollution from their activities. If we see problems, we try to correct them," Holman said. "Most of our tenants are well aware of the problems associated with stormwater runoff and work hard to keep their facilities clean."

The Port of San Diego is a public corporation and special government entity. Created in 1962 by an act of the California legislature, the Port manages San Diego harbor and administers the public lands along San Diego Bay. The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. With a $10.6 billion economic impact on the San Diego region, the Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 17 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub-tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.