Newport Beach looks into new water-control methods

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Residents will soon get to voice their opinions on a

visually imposing but environmentally beneficial addition to Newport

Lagoon.

A machine to circulate water in the stagnant lagoon could appear by

early March for a two-week trial that will also test public opinion of

its appearance.

“It’s a bit of a gangly duck -- possibly not the image we want for the

lagoon,” said Bob Stein of the city’s Public Works Department, which will

consider buying the $65,000 machine in hopes of improving the lagoon’s

water quality. “We’re going to install it and get people’s feedback.”

Testing the InStreem unit is part of an aggressive campaign to use

$500,000 in state grant money to clean up the city’s worst areas for

water quality. While o7 all of the Upper Newport Bay and the water by

the Newport Dunes if7 s considered by the state to have levels of

bacteria that are far too high, sediment and other pollutants, and

nutrients that cause algae blooms, Newport Dunes Lagoon and water around

Newport Island are especially troublesome -- a reality officials hope to

alter.

“Both of these areas have high beach posting numbers. We want to try

and keep those beaches open and safe for swimming a lot longer, and this

is a way to do that,” said Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff.

The 25-by-12-foot InStreem machine is just one option under

consideration. If the public gives it the thumbs down, a machine about a

fourth of its size and effectiveness could be used to do the same job --

circulate the water.

“We’re trying to show that if you improve water flow through whatever

device, then you can improve water quality -- you expose it to UV light,

expose it to more aeration and kill off bacteria. The fact that the

water’s stagnant in these two areas is part of the problem,” Kiff said.

Some such devices will be tested, but some other aggressive measures

are definite, Stein said.

For example, inflatable plugs in storm drain catch basins in those

areas could better filter debris from runoff, and could eventually be

installed citywide. The devices cost about $500 each.

And one-way valves at the inlet opened during storms will be used to

keep seawater out of the storm drain system. Screens will catch even more

debris. Innovative new filters in storm drains will catch grease,

sediment and oil, but will also neutralize bacteria.

“Water quality is the No. 1 issue for Orange County residents, and as

the downstream receiver of waters, the city of Newport Beach is taking a

proactive role in beginning that cleanup process,” Stein said.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .