MEC Completes Bacteria Study in Dominguez Channel
July 25, 2002

CARLSBAD, CA-MEC Analytical Systems, Inc. (MEC) recently completed a study of bacterial pollution in the Dominguez Channel. The Channel is included on the California State Water Resources Control Board Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List as an impaired water body for bacteria. MEC was contracted by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) to conduct the study in support of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) investigation sponsored by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB).

Prior to the study, MEC conducted a field reconnaissance survey to locate flowing storm drains and identify site constraints and sample collection points. Our scientists coordinated with the LARWQCB staff and selected 51 sites along the 14-mile Channel from the north end near the 105 Freeway at Crenshaw Boulevard to the receiving waters in the East Basin of the Port of Long Beach.

Our team then conducted two days of sampling in June 2002. At each site, MEC team members completed field observations including weather conditions, physical descriptions of the sites (location, type and size of pipe, GPS coordinates), visual water quality, and flow estimation. They also took field measurements of pH, temperature and conductivity. Each site was photographed for visual documentation.

Grab samples were taken at each site employing clean sampling techniques for collecting bacteriological samples in accordance with Caltrans Stormwater Monitoring Protocols. The samples were returned to MEC's microbiology laboratory in Carlsbad, California for analysis of total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus using the IDEXX system (colilert 18 and enterolert) and membrane filtration methods.

Once the microbiology analysis of the grab samples was completed, MEC prepared a written report for the LARWQCB. The report included a discussion of methods, site photographs, field observations, graphical representation of bacterial contamination by channel reach, and graphical representation of concentration of bacterial indicator by type of sample (in-channel sample versus mixed land-use drainage). Additionally, we provided a GIS map with all sampling locations and a database of testing results.

This study represented the first comprehensive bacteria study of the entire Channel. The results will assist the LARWQCB in developing their technical TMDL. MEC completed the entire study-from field reconnaissance to presentation of the final report-in just 5 weeks.

In addition to the bacteria study, MEC was recently placed under contract by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works to provide a watershed management plan for the Dominguez Channel Watershed. This project is currently underway and is scheduled for completion in December 2003.

For more information regarding this study or services provided by MEC, please contact Nicole Apel, Marketing Coordinator, at 760-931-8081, ext. 102 or apel@mecanalytical.com.