Q.1 WHAT IS URBAN RUNOFF?

A. Urban runoff is any water that flows into storm drains. In Southern California, the weather is dry an average of 347 days per year. However, polluted urban runoff flows to the ocean year-round due largely to inefficient watering of landscaping, hosing down of sidewalks and driveways, and washing of cars. This water carries trash and other pollutants with it. Urban runoff causes pollution of local streams and the ocean.

Q2. WHAT IS THE NATURAL TREATMENT SYSTEM?

A. The Natural Treatment System is a cost effective, environmentally sound alternative for treating dry weather runoff and small storm events. The creation of man-made wetlands will use natural ecosystems to remove sediment, nutrients, pathogens and other contaminants from dry weather runoff and prevent these contaminants from reaching the Upper Newport Bay. At the same time, it will provide additional neighborhood open space and wildlife habitat.

Q3. WHY DO WE NEED TO DO THIS? WHY CAN’T WE JUST USE OUR EXISTING SEWER SYSTEM?

A. Sewers and storm drains are two separate systems. Sewers were not designed to handle the flow of urban runoff from the storm drains. The Natural Treatment System is an environmentally sound and more cost effective alternative to building bigger sewers and retrofitting existing sewers to accept the increased demand on the system. This approach avoids the high costs and increased traffic congestion from the digging up of roadways that would be necessary to accommodate a retrofit to the existing sewers. Further, combined sewers and storm drains have been problematic for treatment plants in other areas of the country, where the combined system can be overwhelmed during periods of heavy rain. This creates sewage spills, which obviously defeats the goal of improving water quality. The Natural Treatment System allows sewers and storm drains to remain separate.

Q4. What does IRWD get out of this project?

A. IRWD, other public agencies and the communities within the watershed will all benefit from a coordinated, regional approach to treating urban runoff. The creation of the Natural Treatment wetlands will avoid the costs of building bigger sewers and retrofitting existing sewers to urban runoff.

Q5. WHAT IS THE TIMING OF THIS PROJECT?

A. We believe the need to implement the Natural Treatment System is immediate in order for cities and the county to comply with the next phase of the Clean Water Act. IRWD completed the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Draft Master Plan in March 20032004. Public comments will be received until May 12. It is anticipated that construction on some Phase I sites could begin as early as Fall 2003. Several wetlands have already been constructed and are in service. Several others are in various stages of design or construction. By the end of 2009, it is expected approximately 20 of the 31 NTS wetlands will be in service.

Q6. HOW MUCH WILL THE PROJECT COST?

A. The estimated cost of construction for all sites is $41 million, which will be spread over several years as the sites are built. The cost of installation, operation and maintenance of the Natural Treatment System will have a substantially lower financial impact on residents and businesses than the alternative of diverting urban runoff flows into the existing sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants.

Q7. WILL WATER RATES GO UP?

A. Yes, but only marginally. The District is actively seeking federal and state funding to offset costs. The District has already received some funding and is confident more will be received in the future. Since May 2002 IRWD customers have been seeing a line item on their bills, itemizing their share of urban runoff treatment costs at San Joaquin Marsh. Currently this item is not being added to the customer’ s water bill, but will be in the future. The line item amounts to two percent of the customer’s water commodity charge only (not including the monthly fixed charges for water and sewer service). This provides a fair allocation of the costs. Those who use more water and therefore contribute more to urban runoff will pay more to treat it. For most single family residences, the amount on the line item is now generally less than 50 cents per month. The estimated monthly charge at full buildout of the NTS system will be 65-98 cents per typical residence.

Q8. WHO WILL MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM?

A. IRWD will maintain and operate the Natural Treatment System to ensure the program’s continued success. Our experience and successful wetlands restoration program at the San Joaquin Marsh will now be used throughout the watershed. IRWD’s boundaries are almost identical to those of the San Diego Creek Watershed, therefore it is logical for IRWD to take the lead on this regional project.

Q9. HOW MANY OF THESE WETLANDS WILL YOU BUILD?

A. Originally 65 opportunity sites were evaluated. Through the master planning process, those have now been reduced to the 31 best sites in terms of treatment effectiveness, constructability, availability and cost31 of those sites were identifieda as the best sites in terms of treatment effectiveness, constructability, availability and cost. In the time since the master plan was completed, approximately 9 more developer sites have been added to the system master plan.

Q10. WHERE WILL THE LAND COME FROM TO BUILD THEM?

A. The Natural Treatment System will use existing storm water and flood control basins. In addition, cities and various agencies will work with developers on the construction of wetlands and other facilities needed for the system in new communities. Landowners will provide property and pay to construct the treatment wetlands and other facilities in new development areas. In some cases cities and developers will contribute property easements and funding to the Natural Treatment System program.

Q11. CAN I VISIT THE SITES?

A. Many of the NTS sites can be viewed from adjacent public areas, like bike trails and greenbelts. However, NTS wetlands are not designed for public access. So, please do not enter the wetland areas and do not swim or wade in the water. Let’s allow nature and wildlife do their best work without our interference. Let’s look but not touch.