LA County Ordered to Clean Up Water Pollution

Untreated storm water runoff is the largest source of coastal pollution in Southern California

Liz Crosson
Santa Monica Baykeeper
03/10/2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Lass, NRDC, 310‐434‐2300 or 202‐468‐6718 (cell)
Liz Crosson, Santa Monica Baykeeper, 310‐305‐9645 ext. 100, 541‐944‐5589 (cell)

LOS ANGELES (March 10, 2011) – The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision today finding the
Los Angeles County’s Flood Control District responsible for the billions of gallons of untreated
stormwater runoff it allows to pollute Southern California’s rivers and, ultimately, its most popular
beaches. The decision stems from a 2008 lawsuit filed by NRDC and Santa Monica Baykeeper.

“This ruling holds LA County responsible for their massive water pollution problem,” said Aaron
Colangelo, senior attorney with NRDC. “For years, the County claimed that it could never be held
accountable for its toxic discharges, even if the water were so polluted that it literally caught on fire. All
of that changes with this ruling. The result will be fewer illnesses, fewer beach closings, a healthier
environment, and a healthier regional economy.”

This ruling affirms that the County must do more to improve water quality and protect public health and
the environment. As a remedy for the violations identified by the court, NRDC and Santa Monica
Baykeeper will seek a court order requiring the County to reduce runoff pollution to levels that protect
public health and the environment.

“The court’s decision should be celebrated by all who value coastal and aquatic resources like
recreation, natural habitats, and scenic beauty,” said Liz Crosson, Executive Director and Baykeeper of
Santa Monica Baykeeper. “The decision is a critical step towards addressing water pollution in major Los
Angeles waterways.”

In its decision, the federal court agreed with NRDC and the Baykeeper that Los Angeles County, through
its Flood Control District, has been illegally discharging polluted water into the Los Angeles and San
Gabriel Rivers since 2003. Although the County’s monitoring in two additional rivers – the Santa Clara
River and Malibu Creek – also showed violations of pollution limits, the court found that evidence did
not pinpoint the County, as opposed to other dischargers, as the source of illegal levels in those waters.
However, the Court left it open for NRDC and Baykeeper to revisit those claims.

Background
In March 2008, NRDC and Santa Monica Baykeeper sued the County of Los Angeles for violating a 2001
Clean Water Act permit issued by California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board. The lawsuit sought
to hold the county accountable to measurably reducing urban runoff, the top source of coastal water
pollution in California that sickens thousands of people and fouls coastal ecosystems annually.

When it rains in Los Angeles, billions of gallons of water pour into the County’s storm drains and,
carrying bacteria, pathogens, animal waste, metals, oils, and other pollutants, flow untreated into the
Pacific Ocean and onto our beaches. A recent NRDC report found that in 2009, stormwater runoff was
the primary known source of pollution at beaches nationwide, consistent with past years.

Stormwater pollution makes people vulnerable to a range of waterborne illnesses including stomach flu,
skin rashes, pinkeye, ear, nose, and throat problems, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory ailments,
neurological disorders, and other serious health problems. For senior citizens, small children, and people
with weak immune systems, the results can be fatal.

Related Links
Lawsuit Charges L.A. County with Failing Clean Water Standards www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080303.asp
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