Technology can come to the rescue. There are lot of great projects and legislation in the works beginning to have a big impact on water quality in Southern California. It’s important to remember that technology can be, very expensive and requires a long term commitment. Technology can help but it can’t do it alone. In conjunction with well-thought out environmental protections and laws, well placed hi-tech solutions can bring us closer and closer to a swimmable and fishable bay 365 days a year.

SMURRF
The Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURRF), is a first-of-its-kind water recycling plant set on the bluffs above the Santa Monica Pier. It can handle runoff draining from over 5,000 acres of land, accounting for 90% of Santa Monica's dry water runoff. The recycling facility strips water of suspended solids, trash, oil and grease, pathogens, heavy metals, and organic pollutants from soot, plastics and fertilizers. It is designed to handle up to 500,000 gallons per day, and recycles water for irrigation. The treated runoff is used for landscape irrigation in Santa Monica's city parks, Woodlawn Cemetery, school grounds, landscaping along Olympic Boulevard and for toilet flushing in commercial buildings where dual plumbing has been installed.

CDS Units
Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) technology can help keep trash out of the ocean by separating water from trash in storm drain catch basins. Then, cities can empty out the trash, without worrying about flooding.

Legislation
Using appropriate legislation to help manage pollution makes a huge difference. While laws are updated and revised constantly, some of the most important laws we’ve seen locally include smoking bans on beaches, Styrofoam bans in city limits, and even bans or fees associated with plastic bags. Proposition O was a statewide measure that dedicated funds to cleaning up some of California’s most polluted beaches. Locally, by dedicating staff time and money to improvement projects like the City of Compton’s bike bath and equestrian trail along Compton Creek, cities show their dedication to clean, healthy and usable open space.