Regrowth of Enterococci & Fecal Coliform in Biofilm - Studies of Street Gutters and Storm Drains in Newport Beach
Recently the city of Newport Beach, CA, and the Orange County (CA) Health Care Agency Water Quality Laboratory have completed studies presenting evidence that biofilm regrowth of enterococci and fecal coliform bacteria is occurring in street gutters and storm drains.
If these findings of regrowth are duplicated by others, the health threat to recreational swimmers resulting from nonpoint sources may be overestimated.
[read more] [PDF]- Stormwater Magazine July/August 2010
26th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day
When: September 25th 2010 from 8am -1pm
Where: Peter and Mary Muth Center 2301 University Dr, Newport Beach ca 92660
Contact: Candice McIntyre (land based clean up) at (949) 923-2295. For water-based efforts register with Robin Madrid at (949) 640-9956 or email: rmadrid@dfg.ca.gov 
The California Coastal Commission estimates that 60 to 80% of all debris in the ocean is made from plastic. Quantities and impacts of plastic debris are significant and increasing. The Algalita Marine Research Foundation's investigation of plastic in the North Central Gyre of the Pacific Ocean showed that the mass of plastic pieces was six times greater than zooplankton floating on the water's surface. Nearly 80% of marine debris comes from land-based sources. By picking up debris here, in Newport you can prevent contamination of our ocean, bay and beaches.
California Coastal Cleanup Day is the premier volunteer event focused on the marine environment in the country. Since the program started in 1985, nearly 700,000 Californians have removed more than 10 million pounds of debris from our state's shorelines and coast.
Past Coastal Cleanup Day data tell us that most (between 60-80 percent) of the debris on our beaches and shorelines comes from inland sources, traveling through storm drains or creeks out to the beaches and ocean. Rain (or even something as simple as hosing down a sidewalk) can wash cigarette butts, bits of Styrofoam, pesticides, and oil into the storm drains and out to the ocean. The California Coastal Commission is asking all Californians to take responsibility for making sure trash goes where it belongs*securely in a trashcan, recycling bin, or a hazardous waste dump when appropriate.
Be a part of the solution. Come Join us!
Are You UP on Water Quality?
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Water Quality Goes Realtime!
The City of Newport Beach is working with Miocean in the installation of beach information monitors at CDM Main Beach and the Newport Pier. The beach information monitors are weatherproof, vandal resistant, and wirelessly 
connected. The monitors provide customized real-time beach information data including:
- Current surf conditions;
- Air and water temperatures;
- Tidal conditions;
- Current water quality information and;
- Educational messages
This new informational kiosk will be helpful to the beachgoer because it will increase knowledge of beach conditions, of water quality, and ways to help improve water quality when they return home.
Newport Pier and Balboa Pier Receive Five Stars! [read more]
The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) declared the Top 200 most visited beaches up to five stars.
To flush or not to flush… No drugs down the Drain.
Do you know what to do with your unused or expired medications? Most people don’t. the City of Newport Beach has recently teamed up with the Orange County Sanitation District to promote a countywide public education campaign to reduce the improper disposal of pharmaceuticals into the sewer system. The campaign’s tagline, “No Drugs Down the Drain” is meant to encourage Southern California residents to dispose of their unused or expired medications properly.
So what can we do with the expired medications we have at home? Throwing unused medications in a trash receptacle is the way to go. Learn more at NoDrugsDownTheDrain.org.
Keeping Our Waterways Safe and Clean
Here you will find the latest news on efforts to reduce stormwater pollution, informative educational materials, pollution prevention tips for residents and businesses, online documents and reporting forms, links to other stormwater program participants and more. Together, we can prevent stormwater pollution and keep our channels, creeks, bays and ocean clean.
- GENERAL INFORMATION
Learn what stormwater pollution is, how it happens and how it affects you, including government regulations and requirements. You can also view the latest National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, Drain Area Management Plan (DAMP) and County stormwater program reports.
- POLLUTION PREVENTION FOR RESIDENTS
Prevention tips and guidelines for residents.
- POLLUTION PREVENTION FOR BUSINESSES
Prevention tips and guidelines for businesses.
- HAZARDOUS WASTE AND OIL RECYCLING
Collection sites where you can take old paint, pesticides, batteries, solvents and other items to be recycled, and certified oil recycling collection centers where you can recycle used motor oil.
- PUMP OUT STATIONS FOR BOATERS
Learn where pump out stations are located throughout the Newport Beach Harbor.
- EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
A number of brochures, posters and suggested best management controls are available to view and download.
- Best Management Practices (BMPs)
- Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs)
- Videos
- Brochures
- Posters and Magnets
- Watershed Science for Teachers
- POLLUTION REPORTING
Report storm water pollution or street drain problems.
- FATS OIL & GREASE (FOG) CONTROL
Power Point Presentation to Restaurant Managers