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July 14, 2010: The SCCWRP Commission’s Rapid Methods Task Force met on June 29 and agreed to move forward with a demonstration project this summer from July 6 to August 31. Throughout this period, a rapid molecular method for Enterococcus (quantitative polymerase chain reaction or QPCR) will be used side-by-side with traditional fecal indicator bacteria quantification methods for monitoring at select beach sites in Orange County. This is the first application in the country using data from rapid molecular methods to make same-day beach warning and closure decisions. As part of the demonstration, electronic signs will be installed at Newport Pier and Huntington, Doheny, and Big Corona State Beaches to communicate the latest data on potential health risks to beach visitors. For more information, check out the video from KTLA news, fact sheet, or SCCWRP’s website.
Example screen showing beach water quality at sampled locations along Doheny Beach.
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July 02, 2010: A 3-day Symposium entitled “Episodic Stream Channels: Imperatives for Assessment and Environmental Planning in California” will be held at SCCWRP November 8-10. The goal of the Symposium is to explore the physical processes, ecological adaptations, and management/conservations challenges of episodic channels in California. It is being organized by the University of California, Berkeley, the California Department of Fish and Game, and SCCWRP. For more information on the agenda and how to register, please contact Dr. Eric Stein.
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June 25, 2010: The Science Advisory Panel for Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Recycled Water issued their final report to the State Water Resources Control Board on June 25. The panel met four times from 2009 to 2010 to formulate their recommendations for CEC monitoring and to receive input from a variety of stakeholders and the public. They were tasked with addressing five questions raised by the State’s Recycled Water Policy. More information about this effort is available on the SCCWRP website or by contacting Dr. Keith Maruya.
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June 09, 2010: The SCCWRP Research Plan for fiscal year 2010/2011 was approved by the SCCWRP Commission at their June meeting, and is now available on the SCCWRP website. The Plan provides an overview of SCCWRP’s various research foci for the upcoming year, as well as project descriptions, goals, expected outcomes, and collaborators. The current version contains 54 projects, over 90% of which are being conducted in partnership with other organizations. For more information on the Research Plan, please contact Steve Weisberg or Ken Schiff.
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June 03, 2010: The latest news alert from the European Commission’s Science for Environment Policy news service highlighted a study co-authored by SCCWRP scientists on the use of best professional judgment to unify benthic assessment scales across different regions of the world. The findings of the study “Assessing coastal benthic macrofauna community condition using best professional judgement - Developing consensus across North America and Europe” were recently published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin. The news service is designed to provide policymakers with a weekly summary of current and relevant environmental research. For more information on the study, please contact Ananda Ranasinghe.
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May 24, 2010: A demonstration of the rapid microbiological measurement method for Enterococcus will be held at SCCWRP between 9:00 and 11:00 on Friday, May 28. This event is related to the SCCWRP Commission’s Rapid Methods Task Force endorsement of a demonstration project to take place this summer, wherein rapid molecular methods will be used side-by-side with traditional fecal indicator bacteria methods for beach monitoring at select sites in Orange County. Attendance is limited to 20 participants. To RSVP, or for more information, please contact Dr. John Griffith.
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May 18, 2010: Kurt Berchtold, currently SCCWRP’s Alternate Commissioner from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, will be promoted to Executive Officer and appointed SCCWRP Commissioner upon Gerry Thibeault’s retirement in mid-June. In addition, Sam Unger was recently appointed the interim Executive Officer and SCCWRP Commissioner representing the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. Unger will also serve as Commission Vice-Chair.