Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Mission Bay users ignore contamination

Don't row, row, row your boat in contaminated waters

 Children play alongside contaminated water. Per the DEH: Don't ingest the water, inhale mists or droplets, or let it touch your skin.
Children play alongside contaminated water. Per the DEH: Don't ingest the water, inhale mists or droplets, or let it touch your skin.

On January 10, a main sewer line in Tecolote Canyon ruptured, causing sewage to spill through Tecolote Creek, the Tecolote Canyon Golf Course, and into East Mission Bay.

Arian Collins, a supervising public information officer for the city's public utilities department, told me yesterday (January 14) that the point of origin of the spill was in Tecolote Canyon, just below the end of Mt. Ashmun Drive in Clairemont.

"The break on the sewer main was caused by damage to the pipeline following severe erosion to the canyon due to the recent rainstorms," said Collins. "Staff is still investigating the start time. The spill ended at 6 p.m. when city public utilities department crews started bypass pumping. The City’s preliminary report to the San Diego Regional Water Board indicates a volume of 108,000 gallons. However, this report is only preliminary pending completion of the investigation, which is expected sometime next week."

Collins said that the spill was ultimately stopped by installing a temporary bypass pump. "Public utilities crews are currently working on repairs to the sewer main, which may take between two to three weeks to complete assuming the weather cooperates," said Collins. "City park rangers have closed off the walking trail in the section where the repair work is being done and warning signs have been posted along the trail about the trail closure. In addition, 80 warning signs have been posted around Mission Bay."

Sponsored
Sponsored

Regarding replacement plans, there is a capital improvement program project planned for the Tecolote trunk sewer. It’s currently in the design phase. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in summer 2018 with plans to be completed in late 2020.

According to Collins, the section of sewer line that ruptured is 60 years old and is on a 36-month cleaning frequency schedule. The last time it was cleaned was on September 8, 2014.

At least 15 people at the park were within 20 feet of this sign and didn't know about the sewage spill.
Danger zone, sign down.

On January 12, at the park's former visitor center, there were children on the adjacent playground, cyclists on the pathways, and baby strollers rolling past ducks, seagulls, and rowers in the contaminated water. After surveying 30 people about the water contamination, I finally discovered an elderly gentleman that knew about it. No one else had a clue, and half of them were within 20 feet of a warning sign. I had to hunt for the signs myself. I finally found four along the water's edge. One was face down on the grass. The majority have a dark red background with black lettering that is difficult to read from afar.

On January 13, Alex Bell, a communications officer from the county's environmental health department, discussed what's involved in the sewage cleanup. "Samples are being collected daily in Mission Bay and Tecolote Creek by the city and county," said Bell. "Samples are being analyzed by the city's wastewater laboratory for total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, which are indicators of sewage impacts."

Bell said that more than 45 samples have been collected as of January 13. The sampling thus far has detected sewage impacts in the eastern portion of Mission Bay from the former visitors center at Clairemont Drive to the Fiesta Island land bridge.

Yellow danger sign

"As a result this entire area is closed to water contact, including Enchanted Cove which is on the east side of Fiesta Island. The western side of Fiesta Island is not affected," said Bell. "Signs warning the public of sewage contaminated water are posted on the eastern portion of Mission Bay in the closure area. Signage is posted most heavily at access points near parking areas and playgrounds."

In regards to the ducks and seagulls, Bell said, "Generally speaking, animals are not affected by the same pathogens as humans. As a result, wildlife is not expected to be significantly impacted by the sewage spill."

Surprisingly, the cleanup may not take as long as one would think. Bell said, "Cleanup of sewage impacts in water is generally accomplished through natural processes. These processes act to inactivate (i.e. kill) pathogenic bacteria and include predation (being eaten by other organisms), ultraviolet light (sunlight), exposure to seawater (saltwater) or other environmental stressors, and dilution. These processes are both effective and relatively quick but depend heavily on specific circumstances. Natural processes may mitigate this spill in as little as a couple weeks, but only sampling can confirm that."

Collins said that the cleanup depends heavily on the amount of runoff still coming down the creek. Collins said, "The storm runoff itself is high in bacteria levels even without the sewage spill, and this may be a factor in keeping the signs up around Mission Bay."

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Celebrate Holi, Borrego Springs Music Festival

Events March 23-March 27, 2024
Next Article

Will L.A. Times crowd out San Diego U-T at Riverside printing plant?

Will Toni Atkins stand back from anti-SDG&E initiative?
 Children play alongside contaminated water. Per the DEH: Don't ingest the water, inhale mists or droplets, or let it touch your skin.
Children play alongside contaminated water. Per the DEH: Don't ingest the water, inhale mists or droplets, or let it touch your skin.

On January 10, a main sewer line in Tecolote Canyon ruptured, causing sewage to spill through Tecolote Creek, the Tecolote Canyon Golf Course, and into East Mission Bay.

Arian Collins, a supervising public information officer for the city's public utilities department, told me yesterday (January 14) that the point of origin of the spill was in Tecolote Canyon, just below the end of Mt. Ashmun Drive in Clairemont.

"The break on the sewer main was caused by damage to the pipeline following severe erosion to the canyon due to the recent rainstorms," said Collins. "Staff is still investigating the start time. The spill ended at 6 p.m. when city public utilities department crews started bypass pumping. The City’s preliminary report to the San Diego Regional Water Board indicates a volume of 108,000 gallons. However, this report is only preliminary pending completion of the investigation, which is expected sometime next week."

Collins said that the spill was ultimately stopped by installing a temporary bypass pump. "Public utilities crews are currently working on repairs to the sewer main, which may take between two to three weeks to complete assuming the weather cooperates," said Collins. "City park rangers have closed off the walking trail in the section where the repair work is being done and warning signs have been posted along the trail about the trail closure. In addition, 80 warning signs have been posted around Mission Bay."

Sponsored
Sponsored

Regarding replacement plans, there is a capital improvement program project planned for the Tecolote trunk sewer. It’s currently in the design phase. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in summer 2018 with plans to be completed in late 2020.

According to Collins, the section of sewer line that ruptured is 60 years old and is on a 36-month cleaning frequency schedule. The last time it was cleaned was on September 8, 2014.

At least 15 people at the park were within 20 feet of this sign and didn't know about the sewage spill.
Danger zone, sign down.

On January 12, at the park's former visitor center, there were children on the adjacent playground, cyclists on the pathways, and baby strollers rolling past ducks, seagulls, and rowers in the contaminated water. After surveying 30 people about the water contamination, I finally discovered an elderly gentleman that knew about it. No one else had a clue, and half of them were within 20 feet of a warning sign. I had to hunt for the signs myself. I finally found four along the water's edge. One was face down on the grass. The majority have a dark red background with black lettering that is difficult to read from afar.

On January 13, Alex Bell, a communications officer from the county's environmental health department, discussed what's involved in the sewage cleanup. "Samples are being collected daily in Mission Bay and Tecolote Creek by the city and county," said Bell. "Samples are being analyzed by the city's wastewater laboratory for total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, which are indicators of sewage impacts."

Bell said that more than 45 samples have been collected as of January 13. The sampling thus far has detected sewage impacts in the eastern portion of Mission Bay from the former visitors center at Clairemont Drive to the Fiesta Island land bridge.

Yellow danger sign

"As a result this entire area is closed to water contact, including Enchanted Cove which is on the east side of Fiesta Island. The western side of Fiesta Island is not affected," said Bell. "Signs warning the public of sewage contaminated water are posted on the eastern portion of Mission Bay in the closure area. Signage is posted most heavily at access points near parking areas and playgrounds."

In regards to the ducks and seagulls, Bell said, "Generally speaking, animals are not affected by the same pathogens as humans. As a result, wildlife is not expected to be significantly impacted by the sewage spill."

Surprisingly, the cleanup may not take as long as one would think. Bell said, "Cleanup of sewage impacts in water is generally accomplished through natural processes. These processes act to inactivate (i.e. kill) pathogenic bacteria and include predation (being eaten by other organisms), ultraviolet light (sunlight), exposure to seawater (saltwater) or other environmental stressors, and dilution. These processes are both effective and relatively quick but depend heavily on specific circumstances. Natural processes may mitigate this spill in as little as a couple weeks, but only sampling can confirm that."

Collins said that the cleanup depends heavily on the amount of runoff still coming down the creek. Collins said, "The storm runoff itself is high in bacteria levels even without the sewage spill, and this may be a factor in keeping the signs up around Mission Bay."

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Pacific Beach – car thief's paradise

Take photos of your automobile and license plate
Next Article

Tiny Home Central isn’t solving the San Diego housing crisis

But it does hope to help fill in the gaps
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.