Draft 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name: Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach
Water Body ID: 9014
Water Body Type: Coastal & Bay Shoreline
 
DECISION ID
17699
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 San Diego HU segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU, and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Sixty-six of 492 samples exceeded the water quality objective for enterococcus.

In LOE 30400, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification for removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Sixty-six of 492 samples samples exceeded the enterococcus water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 17699
 
LOE ID: 30369
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 1501
Number of Exceedances: 310
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU' was split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment (at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach) formed from the split.

A total of 1,501 analyses were performed from 1999 through 2003. Of these, there were 75 out of 476 exceedances for enterococcus standards, 56 out of 493 exceedances for single-sample fecal coliform criteria and 96 our of 493 30-day average exceedances. For total coliform, there were 83 out of 532 exceedances. Exceedances occurred during both wet and dry seasons (City of San Diego, 2004).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: San Diego RWQCB Basin Plan 1994:
Enterococcus: 35 colonies/100 ml (30-day average), 104 colonies per 100 ml (single sample).
Fecal coliform (FC): 200 colonies/100 mL (30-day average), 400 colonies/100mL(single sample).
Total coliform (TC): 1,000 colonies/100 mL (30-day average), 10,000 colonies/100 mL (single sample, FC/TC ratio is <0.1), 1,000 colonies/100mL (single sample, FC/TC ratio is >0.1).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: San Diego River Mouth (a.k.a. Dog Beach). This site is located on the south side of the mouth of the San Diego River. "Ten stations were monitored at the San Diego River mouth site during this time: one at the sampling site, eight as far as 2,000 ft. to the left, and one 100 ft to the right of the site."
Temporal Representation: Data were available for this assessment from 01/1999 through 10/2003. Samples were collected during both the wet and dry seasons.
Environmental Conditions: There were several sewage spills from 1999 through 2003 that impacted the site. However, there were not enough elevated bacterial levels associated with the spills to reduce the total number of exceedances below the allowable threshold.

Southern California has three distinct weather/hydrological conditions: summer dry weather, winter dry weather, and storm events. The data set used in this analysis includes summer and winter season data. Whether or not storm event samples are included in the data set are not known. For future water quality assessments, the RWQCB may classify bacteria samples as summer dry, winter dry, or storm event samples to ensure adequate representation of all three weather/hydrological conditions.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 30418
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 154
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2001 to December 2007, there were 154 beach advisory days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at ocean and bay locations in San Diego County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that an advisory for waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of San Diego in their annual San Diego County Beach Closure and Advisory Reports. The reporting period was from January 2001 - December 2007. Data used was the number of days the beach was advisories were issued when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Land and Water Quality Division. San Diego County Beach Closure and Advisory Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Beach advisories were posted at San Diego River Mouth at Dog Beach, San Diego, CA.
Temporal Representation: The beach advisory covers the time frame of January January 2001 to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of San Diego's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30401
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 492
Number of Exceedances: 66
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. A total of 492 single samples were collected with 66 samples exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;
Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego, Department Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30400
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 27
Number of Exceedances: 9
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. A total of 492 single samples were collected with 27 samples correlated with a storm event. Nine of the storm samples exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
  Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;
Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).

Comparisons to water quality objectives were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego, Department Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30399
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 85
Number of Exceedances: 13
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data were collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. A total of 492 single samples were collected with 85 monthly geomeans calculated. Thirteen of the geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;
Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego, Department Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
DECISION ID
17700
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 San Diego HU segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU, and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Forty-seven of 548 samples exceeded the water quality objective for fecal coliform.

In LOE 30406, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification for removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Forty-seven of 548 samples exceeded the fecal coliform water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 17700
 
LOE ID: 30369
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 1501
Number of Exceedances: 310
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU' was split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment (at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach) formed from the split.

A total of 1,501 analyses were performed from 1999 through 2003. Of these, there were 75 out of 476 exceedances for enterococcus standards, 56 out of 493 exceedances for single-sample fecal coliform criteria and 96 our of 493 30-day average exceedances. For total coliform, there were 83 out of 532 exceedances. Exceedances occurred during both wet and dry seasons (City of San Diego, 2004).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: San Diego RWQCB Basin Plan 1994:
Enterococcus: 35 colonies/100 ml (30-day average), 104 colonies per 100 ml (single sample).
Fecal coliform (FC): 200 colonies/100 mL (30-day average), 400 colonies/100mL(single sample).
Total coliform (TC): 1,000 colonies/100 mL (30-day average), 10,000 colonies/100 mL (single sample, FC/TC ratio is <0.1), 1,000 colonies/100mL (single sample, FC/TC ratio is >0.1).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: San Diego River Mouth (a.k.a. Dog Beach). This site is located on the south side of the mouth of the San Diego River. "Ten stations were monitored at the San Diego River mouth site during this time: one at the sampling site, eight as far as 2,000 ft. to the left, and one 100 ft to the right of the site."
Temporal Representation: Data were available for this assessment from 01/1999 through 10/2003. Samples were collected during both the wet and dry seasons.
Environmental Conditions: There were several sewage spills from 1999 through 2003 that impacted the site. However, there were not enough elevated bacterial levels associated with the spills to reduce the total number of exceedances below the allowable threshold.

Southern California has three distinct weather/hydrological conditions: summer dry weather, winter dry weather, and storm events. The data set used in this analysis includes summer and winter season data. Whether or not storm event samples are included in the data set are not known. For future water quality assessments, the RWQCB may classify bacteria samples as summer dry, winter dry, or storm event samples to ensure adequate representation of all three weather/hydrological conditions.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 30418
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 154
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2001 to December 2007, there were 154 beach advisory days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at ocean and bay locations in San Diego County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that an advisory for waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of San Diego in their annual San Diego County Beach Closure and Advisory Reports. The reporting period was from January 2001 - December 2007. Data used was the number of days the beach was advisories were issued when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Land and Water Quality Division. San Diego County Beach Closure and Advisory Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Beach advisories were posted at San Diego River Mouth at Dog Beach, San Diego, CA.
Temporal Representation: The beach advisory covers the time frame of January January 2001 to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of San Diego's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30407
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 508
Number of Exceedances: 47
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. A total of 508 single samples were collected with 47 of the samples exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;
Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego, Department Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30406
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 24
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. A total of 508 single samples were collected with 24 samples correlated with a storm event. Six of the storm samples exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
  Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;
Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).

Comparisons to water quality objectives were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego, Department Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30405
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 83
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. A total of 508 single samples were collected with 83 geomeans calculated. None of the geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;
Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego, Department Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
DECISION ID
17701
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Unknown Nonpoint Source | Unknown Point Source | Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2010
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One hundred forty-nine of 505 samples exceed the water quality objective for Shellfish Harvesting.

In LOEs 30397 and 30411, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3.One hundred forty-nine of 505 samples exceeded the Shellfish Harvesting water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 17701
 
LOE ID: 30397
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 28
Number of Exceedances: 18
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Shoreline beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. The number of samples collected for total coliform analysis was 505 with 28 of the samples correlated with a storm event. Eighteen of the storm samples exceeded the single sample maximum total coliform standard for shellfish harvesting. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
  Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Ocean Plan, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 230 per 100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were also made for days with matching bacteria and storm event data. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego's Quality beach monitoring program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30411
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 28
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Shoreline beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 2004 through December 2007. The number of samples collected for total coliform analysis was 505 with 28 samples correlated with a storm event. Four of the storm samples exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
  Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were also made for days with matching bacteria and storm event data. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego's Quality beach monitoring program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30396
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 505
Number of Exceedances: 149
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Shoreline beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. The number of samples collected for total coliform analysis was 505 with 149 samples exceeding the single sample maximum total coliform standard for shellfish harvesting.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Ocean Plan, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 230 per 100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010.
Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego's Quality beach monitoring program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30418
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 154
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2001 to December 2007, there were 154 beach advisory days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at ocean and bay locations in San Diego County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that an advisory for waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of San Diego in their annual San Diego County Beach Closure and Advisory Reports. The reporting period was from January 2001 - December 2007. Data used was the number of days the beach was advisories were issued when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: Department of Environmental Health, Land and Water Quality Division. San Diego County Beach Closure and Advisory Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Beach advisories were posted at San Diego River Mouth at Dog Beach, San Diego, CA.
Temporal Representation: The beach advisory covers the time frame of January January 2001 to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of San Diego's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30413
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 87
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Shoreline beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from Samples were collected from Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. The number of samples collected for total coliform analysis was 505 with 87 monthly geomeans calculated. Only one of the geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
  Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego's Quality beach monitoring program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.
 
LOE ID: 30369
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 1501
Number of Exceedances: 310
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU' was split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, San Diego HU and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment (at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach) formed from the split.

A total of 1,501 analyses were performed from 1999 through 2003. Of these, there were 75 out of 476 exceedances for enterococcus standards, 56 out of 493 exceedances for single-sample fecal coliform criteria and 96 our of 493 30-day average exceedances. For total coliform, there were 83 out of 532 exceedances. Exceedances occurred during both wet and dry seasons (City of San Diego, 2004).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: San Diego RWQCB Basin Plan 1994:
Enterococcus: 35 colonies/100 ml (30-day average), 104 colonies per 100 ml (single sample).
Fecal coliform (FC): 200 colonies/100 mL (30-day average), 400 colonies/100mL(single sample).
Total coliform (TC): 1,000 colonies/100 mL (30-day average), 10,000 colonies/100 mL (single sample, FC/TC ratio is <0.1), 1,000 colonies/100mL (single sample, FC/TC ratio is >0.1).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: San Diego River Mouth (a.k.a. Dog Beach). This site is located on the south side of the mouth of the San Diego River. "Ten stations were monitored at the San Diego River mouth site during this time: one at the sampling site, eight as far as 2,000 ft. to the left, and one 100 ft to the right of the site."
Temporal Representation: Data were available for this assessment from 01/1999 through 10/2003. Samples were collected during both the wet and dry seasons.
Environmental Conditions: There were several sewage spills from 1999 through 2003 that impacted the site. However, there were not enough elevated bacterial levels associated with the spills to reduce the total number of exceedances below the allowable threshold.

Southern California has three distinct weather/hydrological conditions: summer dry weather, winter dry weather, and storm events. The data set used in this analysis includes summer and winter season data. Whether or not storm event samples are included in the data set are not known. For future water quality assessments, the RWQCB may classify bacteria samples as summer dry, winter dry, or storm event samples to ensure adequate representation of all three weather/hydrological conditions.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 30412
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 505
Number of Exceedances: 10
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Shoreline beach monitoring data was collected by the County of San Diego from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007. The number of samples collected for total coliform analysis was 505. Ten of the samples exceeded the single sample maximum total coliform standard.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
  Department of Environmental Health, Ocean & Bay Recreational Water Quality Program, 2007. AB 411 monitoring data 1999 to 2007.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the San Diego HU, at the San Diego River outlet, at Dog Beach, Station id FM-010. Lat/ Long: 32.756700/ -177.251700.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through October 2002, and April 2003 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of San Diego's Quality beach monitoring program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of San Diego, 2006. Department Public Health Laboratory, Quality Assurance Manual, December 2006.