This morning, at 5:30am, Surf had a large team of 15 or more men sweeping water off the entire northwest fields towards as many as 4 pumps, all of which were directing water via a large hose into the swale and culvert that runs adjacent to the El Camino Real entry to the Polo Fields. This water from fields that have been treated and fertilized dumps directly into the San Dieguito River. The same pumping occurred last February, although this time the equipment was much more sophisticated and utilized 4 pumps, rather than just two. The Storm Water code enforcement officer at the city has been notified of these actions, as well as the San Diego Regional Water Control Board and the environmental planner for the Fairgrounds.
Treatment of any storm water, in many different applications and locations, is tightly regulated. It is a major violation of the city Municipal Code. For more information, see the city’s Storm Water regulation information. In this incident, the city’s Storm Water Department referred this case to the State of California 22nd Agriculture District for action because the unauthorized discharge was into the 22nd Ag District easement (rather than into a city storm drain). When pumped directly into other waterbodies, it becomes the jurisdiction of the San Diego Regional Water Control Board. According to the Water Board site “the result is untreated discharge that contributes high levels of pollutants, including heavy metals, toxics, oil and grease, solvents, nutrients, sediments, viruses, and bacteria into receiving waterbodies.” This disregard of environmental issues jeopardizes our natural resources. We have been advised that Surf Cup will be applying for the proper and necessary permit(s) (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Permit) to utilize pumps in the future should such a flooding situation recur.
It would be helpful to have more of us write emails to city officials or contact the relevant agencies that govern water and environmental concerns. Our voice becomes stronger when there are more of us writing these letters. When it’s only a small handful doing it, our names become known and we are ignored. Below are some addresses and links that can be used:
Kristin.Gasper@SDCounty.ca.gov
To file a code enforcement complaint: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/code-enforcement
To file a storm water violation: https://www.sandiego.gov/stormwater/enforcement
To file a complaint with the Regional Water Quality Control Board: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/compliance/enforcement_unit.html