Water samples from Kiddie and Hobie beaches are being collected and sent for analysis by students from CSUCI
VENTURA COUNTY — In 2007 Regional Water Board adopted Total Maximum Daily Load requirements to address elevated bacteria levels at Kiddie and Hobie beaches as required by the Clean Water Act.
Subject to those requirements, County of Ventura, VCPWA’s Watershed Protection District, and City of Oxnard have been working together to improve beach water quality. Currently, in collaboration with Ventura County Public Health Laboratory (VCPHL), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), and California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), a wet weather study is conducted to collect water samples at Kiddie and Hobie beaches in Channel Islands Harbor during rain events.
Through March 25, 8-9 a.m., students from CSUCI and researchers from SCCWRP will collect samples to be a part of a study that will determine levels of bacteria pollution at Kiddie and Hobie beaches. Based on the samples, VCPWA will be able to determine how much bacteria contamination is present at the beaches during rain events and where it’s coming from. The goal is to collect daily samples when it rains and within 72 hours after it stops raining. The researches still hope for up to 5-6 rain events during this winter season.
After the samples are collected, the samples are taken to VCPHL facility for bacteria analysis. SCCWRP researchers will evaluate and analyze testing results. It is hoped analysis of the data will provide a clear indication of the sources of bacteria helping the County and the City to develop cost effective solutions to eliminate those sources and improve water quality.
“It is a great opportunity for students to learn firsthand from the SCCWRP researchers who are highly respected for their research to improve understanding of water quality impacts in Southern California,” said Glenn Shephard, director of VCPWA’s Watershed Protection District. “They also get a much needed hands-on experience for their future careers in environmental field.”