Newport-Mesa to get a taste of Prop. 13

Alex Coolman

NEWPORT BEACH -- Call it the trickle-down theory of water quality

funding.

In March, California voters approved Proposition 13, a $2-billion water bond that funded a variety of programs, from flood control projects

to salmon protection efforts.

But only recently have the details become available on some Prop.

13-supported proposals that will affect Newport-Mesa residents.

Two of the most interesting of the water bond projects concern urban

runoff and drinking water.

On Monday at a press conference in Santa Monica, the state Water

Resources Control Board and the California Coastal Commission introduced

a collaborative project to improve California’s response to urban runoff.

“It’s one of the most comprehensive plans in the United States,” said

Tom Mays, public affairs chief for the Resources Control Board.

The project, which will be funded by a combination of $10.5 million in

federal money and $300 million from the water bond, attempts to take an

integrated approach to the problem of urban runoff. It addresses both the

sources of pollution that can foul inland lakes and those that can mar

beaches.

Money from the funding pool should be directed to municipalities, such

as Newport Beach, that are making an effort to reduce the source of

contamination that travel to the ocean through storm drains, Mays said.

“We will be providing technical assistance to the various cities,” he

said. “We hope to provide that oversight to assist those who may need

input or direction.”

On a smaller scale, but also significant for area residents, is a

water bond-funded project of the Orange County Water District to

replenish its ground water aquifers.

The underground aquifers, which act as storage basins for drinking

water, will be refilled with highly treated waste water, said Ron

Wildermuth, spokesman for the water district.

Though area residents might feel a little squeamish about such a

project, Wildermuth said it is similar to those followed by many other

water agencies, including that of Montebello.

Prop. 13 provided a $37-million chunk of the money for the project,

which is scheduled to begin in 2004.

“It’s our way of looking at the future of water needs in Orange

County,” said Jenny Glasser, a spokeswoman for the district.