Monitoring Monday – San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Region 9)
Join us Mondays as the Clean Water Team shares information and resources on water quality monitoring. This Monday we will look at the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Region 9).
The San Diego Region stretches along 85 miles of scenic coastline from Laguna Beach to the Mexican Border and extends 50 miles inland to the crest of the coastal mountain range. Land use within the Region varies considerably and in a mild coastal climate, the Region’s growing population enjoys many water-related activities; however, little precipitation falls within this semiarid Region. Approximately 90 percent of the Region’s water supply is imported from Northern California and the Colorado River.
The San Diego Region encompasses most of San Diego County, parts of southwestern Riverside County and southwestern Orange County and forms the southwest corner of California, an area that occupies approximately 3,900 square miles of surface area.
The western boundary of the Region consists of the Pacific Ocean coastline which extends approximately 85 miles north from the United States and Mexico border. The northern boundary of the Region is formed by the hydrologic divide starting near Laguna Beach and extending inland through El Toro and easterly along the ridge of the Elsinore Mountains into the Cleveland National Forest. The eastern boundary of the Region is formed by the Laguna Mountains and other lesser-known mountains located in the Cleveland National Forest. The southern boundary of the Region is formed by the United States and Mexico border.
The water resources in the San Diego Region are classified as coastal waters, surface waters, ground waters, imported surface waters, and reclaimed water. Fresh water supplied within the Region is obtained from local surface and ground water development projects and imported surface water programs.
Coastal waters in the Region include bays, harbors, estuaries, beaches, and open ocean. Deep draft commercial harbors include San Diego Bay and Oceanside Harbor. Shallower small craft harbors include Mission Bay and Dana Point Harbor. Important estuaries are represented by coastal lagoons such as Tijuana Estuary, Sweetwater Marsh, San Diego River flood control channel, Kendall-Frost wildlife reserve, San Dieguito River Estuary, San Elijo Lagoon, Batiquitos Lagoon, Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Buena Vista Lagoon, San Luis Rey River Estuary, and Santa Margarita River Estuary.
The San Diego Region has thirteen principal stream systems originating in the western highlands which flow to the Pacific Ocean. From north to south these stream systems are Aliso Creek, San Juan Creek, San Mateo Creek, San Onofre Creek, Santa Margarita River, San Luis Rey River, San Marcos Creek, Escondido Creek, San Dieguito River, San Diego River, Sweetwater River, Otay River, and the Tijuana River. Most of the streams of the San Diego Region are interrupted in character having both perennial and ephemeral components due to the rainfall pattern and the development of surface water impoundments. Surface water impoundments capture flow from nearly all the Region's major surface water streams. Many of the major surface water impoundments are a blend of natural runoff and imported water.
There are streams, lakes and coastal waters within this Region that do not meet certain water quality standards and are identified as impaired waters. The San Diego Water Board works collaboratively with stakeholder groups to address impaired water bodies throughout the region to develop plans to restore and protect waters in the San Diego Region.
A TMDL investigation may result in adopting a TMDL as a Basin Plan amendment, or alternative restoration plans may be identified to address water quality impairments. Some examples of alternative plans include use of existing permits such as the Regional MS4 Permit, investigative orders, and cleanup and abatement orders. Many of the TMDL investigations in and around San Diego Bay resulted in adopted enforcement orders in lieu of adopted TMDLs as Basin Plan amendments. Additional information on San Diego Bay sites can also be found in Geotracker.
The Regional Board is taking an aggressive compliance effort against operators of sewage conveyance systems, construction site operators and municipalities. This includes bringing fines against sewering agencies that allow sewage spills that contribute to beach closures.
The Regional and State Boards, in cooperation with local agencies, developed a beach closure warnings database for the Beach Water Quality Workgroup, an ad hoc committee composed of groups responsible for the protection and reporting of beach water quality in Southern California. The workgroup has developed a model monitoring program for bacteria in coastal waters. The model integrates monitoring by storm water agencies with that of sewage treatment plants and environmental health agencies. Additionally, the SWRCB is developing source investigation procedures for beaches where storm drains frequently contaminate beaches.
Special Programs at the San Diego Region:
RESOURCES:
San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Website
www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/
www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/about_us/contact_us/
www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/
- San Diego Region Hydrologic Basin Plan Area Map
www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/docs/e_Basin_Plan_MAP.pdf
San Diego Region - The Basin Plan
www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/basin_plan/
https://gispublic.waterboards.ca.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1f58bd97fdcd45329a5e16e373ede24d
San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Fact Sheet
www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/publications_forms/publications/docs/factsheet.pdf
SWAMP - Region 9 (San Diego) Monitoring Program
www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/monitoring/regional_monitoring_programs/region_9.html
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