The city of Long Beach and Mayor Bob Foster garnered national attention recently for a reason that they’d probably like to avoid: ocean pollution.
Good Morning America interviewed the Mayor and some of the city’s water pollution experts on the dire condition of the city’s beaches, and what is being done to solve the problem. Currently, pollution is carried South by the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers, and is then released into Long Beach’s ocean waters at an alarming rate. In the video, Stormwater Program Officer Tom Leary calls it “urban slobber” and estimates the city sees 4,500 tons of trash and debris every year.
The story comes on the heels of a new study revealing that 45% of the nation’s coastal waters are unsafe for beachgoers. Long Beach is certainly a good example of the statistic, after years of being bombarded with trash from other cities, and little ocean circulation to carry it away from shores. One solution is to start at the root of the problem by forcing cities to the North to employ stricter regulations on trash dumped into the river, but a recent court decision turned down Long Beach’s request to enact stricter penalties.
One method that does seem to be working and is highlighted in the video is the use of “smart sponges,” which are placed in storm drains and filter out pollutants and other harmful materials in water before it reaches the ocean. The simple tool kills bacteria on contact at a rate of 97%, and is described by its founder as the “last line of defense to protect the environment.” Since 2004, Long Beach has installed 2,000 of the smart sponges in city drains.
Work continues to find new ways to improve the city’s water quality, but the 2008 Heal The Bay Report Card recently ranked Long Beach among the 10 worst water quality beaches in California. Some improvements were made from 2007’s ratings, but many problems must be addressed before Long Beach can be mentioned with the state’s safe beach waters.
Even with the implementation of new technology like smart sponges, and help from low levels of rain this year, the question must be raised: What can be done to bring real change to the city’s beach waters?
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor