Flying out the laws

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Businesses will soon get a crash course in water

quality.

“You’ve been drafted in the fight against runoff,” a preliminary

version of a city flier warns merchants. “It’s this simple: Wash water in

the gutter is prohibited!”

The flier, which has not yet been approved for distribution to local

merchants, is one of several ways the city is trying to get businesses to

comply with new regulations that create unprecedented challenges.

Basically, merchants must take steps to keep all the water used to

wash down sidewalks, walls, awnings and patios out of the storm drains.

One solution under consideration is city-sponsored wash days, when the

city will sandbag the storm drains on individual streets and set out

devices to catch runoff. The merchants will then all wash their sidewalks

and buildings on the same day.

“I guess it could be kind of like a wash party,” Assistant City

Manager Dave Kiff said.

Wet-dry vacuums, sandbags and hiring environmentally friendly cleaning

services are among the ways officials recommend businesses keep dirt and

detergents from getting into the harbor. Environmentally friendly

cleaners, including vinegar, also play a role.

Though even with such cleaners, wash water cannot go into the storm

drains -- eco-friendly products mean wash water could be absorbed into

the earth in grassy areas or near trees and shrubs without damage to the

plants.

Keeping a tight rein on the amount of water used is paramount,

officials warn.

Among the flier’s list of “friends” of the environment: “exactly the

amount of water needed to clean” and “exactly the amount of water needed

to irrigate.” The top foe: “a drop more than that.”

The measures are necessary in part because of a permit approved

earlier this year that governs all Orange County cities’ use of storm

drains. The controversial rules, which many inland cities said were too

costly, found their biggest supporters in Newport Beach -- the only city

to stand solidly in support of the majority of tough restrictions.

But even the self-appointed environmental stewards of Newport Beach

government have had reservations.

Some, such as Mayor Tod Ridgeway, said local businesses’ concerns

should be taken into greater consideration. City Councilwoman Norma

Glover took it a step further, asking city staff to look into ways the

city could help businesses pay for the potentially costly environmental

precautions.

Such measures could come under consideration soon, Kiff said.

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

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