Multi-Agency Approach to Implementing the Monitoring Requirements of the Ballona Creek Metals and Estuary Toxic Pollutants TMDLs

The Ballona Creek watershed is a highly urbanized watershed, located in the Los Angeles Basin and crossing into the jurisdictions of eight agencies. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted the Ballona Creek Metals and the Ballona Creek Estuary Toxic Pollutants TMDLs in 2007 and 2005, respectively, with the objective to reduce the loadings of metals and toxic pollutants to Ballona Creek and Estuary. These TMDLs also required the agencies to develop and implement a plan for monitoring of metals and toxics and to include the installation of automatic water sampler stations for monitoring of surface waters and storm-borne sediment during storm events. The agencies agreed to enter into a cost-sharing agreement and use design and construction services of a consultant to address the challenges and constraints for employing automatic water samplers along Ballona Creek. The urbanized nature of the watershed and the concrete flood control channel through which the creek passes comprises an environment exposing the equipment to rapid changes in water levels and flow rates, ongoing channel maintenance and potential damage from vandalism. Variations in channel configurations and the adjacent public right of ways at the five autosampler stations required specific designs for each location. The City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles Flood Control District, and the consultant worked as collaborative partners to successfully overcome permitting and implementation issues while maintaining a tight schedule.