Oxnard says Channel Islands Harbor water quality is safe and improving

UPDATE 2:

The City of Oxnard says the water in the Channel Islands Harbor is safe and improving.

Twenty-six sampling locations are tested daily, and only four show low dissolved oxygen levels, according to the City.

The City has released a geographic information systems map that contains the location of all the sampling sites and the data collected at those signs. According to the map’s legend, less than 5 parts per million is a normal range for dissolved oxygen.

To view the map, click here.

The City Council will hold a Special Meeting on July 5 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall to award an agreement to Aquatic Bioassay and Consulting Labratory Inc. in the amount of $72,650 for water quality sampling and analysis services. An update report on the city’s work to date will also be provided.

The City has also released a Frequently Asked Questions document to address the most asked questions.

Here are the FAQ’s regarding the Channel Islands Harbor Quality:

1. Is it safe to go in the water?
Yes, water testing was completed by the City of Oxnard and test results confirmed the water in the Channel Islands Harbor is not hazardous to human health.

2. Why is the water brown?
The water itself is clear. When you look into the water, what you are seeing is brown algae, giving the appearance of brown water. A Marine Biologist is being hired by the City to review the test results and conduct additional testing and analysis to determine the root cause.

3. How are the oxygen levels? When will test results be released to the public? How often is testing being done?
Please refer to the interactive maps which include daily logs by test location. Daily monitoring Monday thru Friday is occurring and measurements are being taken near the top and the bottom of the water’s surface.

4. Is there a pump in Seabridge that was installed as a backup plan if the power plant closed? Is it running and if not, why?
The pumping vault infrastructure is set up to house an aeration system at two locations within the Seabridge CFD. There is no pump currently installed in the vaults.

5. There has been a video circulating in which dead fish are shown. Where is this at? What is the City doing to rectify the situation?
This video was taken at the Seabridge public marina. The City has formed a task force and is adding a Marine Biologist to the team to assist in testing and analysis. Additionally, aerators are being purchased to conduct a pilot study within the Seabridge public marina to determine if aeration will improve this oxygen deficient area. However, the City will continue to perform detailed water sampling.

6. How often did the NRG pumps operate previously?
The City has made a public records act request to obtain the facts as there is a great deal of conflicting information.

7. Why can’t the City turn the pumps back on at the NRG plant until a resolution is reached?
NRG ceased operations and discharges to surface waters on March 29, 2018. On June 5, 2018 NRG requested the Regional Water Board discontinue coverage under the NPDES permit program because the facility operations and discharges of wastewater to surface waters have ceased. There is a public hearing on September 13, 2018 with the Regional Water Board in Ventura to consider the tentative order which will terminate the requirements in the NPDES permit. For more information or to submit a comment letter, please click here.

8. What is the County’s role?
The County owns and operates the Channel Islands Harbor, which jurisdiction ends at the Harbor Blvd. bridges over the channels. Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Westport, Harbour Island, the NRG plant and all land north of the bridges is within the jurisdiction of the City of Oxnard. In speaking with the County, they moved up their quarterly testing schedule. They tested in three locations: the west channel, the east channel and the main turning basin. All locations tested well below acceptable limits for bacteria and heavy metals. Dissolved oxygen levels were above the acceptable threshold, although a bit lower than usual in the west channel.

UPDATE:

Results for a water quality test performed by the Ventura County Harbor Department reveal the water in the Channel Islands Harbor is safe for human contact.

“We are very happy that the recent change in the color of the water was not caused by unsafe conditions,” said Marilyn Miller, Director of Harbor Planning & Redevelopment.

Miller says potential bacteria, heavy metals, and dissolved oxygen results came back within acceptable limits. Samples were taken in the west and east channels, as well as the main turning basin.

Quarterly testing was moved up due to residents’ concerns with the conditions in the Mandalay and Seabridge communities in the City of Oxnard, north of Channel Islands Harbor.

The City of Oxnard also conducted bacteriological tests and also found the water not to be hazardous to human health.

“Water quality is extremely important to the businesses in the harbor, as well as residents and visitors,” said Miller. “We have a large number of sailors, kayakers, paddle boarders and jet skiers, as well as children swimming at Kiddie Beach. The County of Ventura is working diligently to ensure that the harbor is safe for all users.”

The County of Ventura owns and operates the Channel Islands south of the Harbor Boulevard bridges. Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, and communities north of the bridges are within the jurisdiction of the City of Oxnard.

“The jurisdictional issues can be confusing to residents, but we want to assure everyone that we are working closely with the City to find out what is causing the brown color and to implement any solutions that are available,” Miller said.

Concerned residents are encouraged to report any discoloration or odor in the waterways north of Channel Islands Blvd by calling the City of Oxnard Public Works at 805-797-7598. For concerns south of Channel Islands Blvd in the Channel Islands Harbor, please call Ventura County Harbor Patrol at 805-973-5959.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Concern over brown, discolored water in the Mandalay Bay and Channel Islands Harbor led to testing.

Although the harbor is run by the county of Ventura, Crews from the city of Oxnard tested the water in various places on Saturday. Workers said they would do it again on Sunday.

The mayor of Oxnard toured the harbor by boat on Thursday following complaints. Residents have been complaining about the brown water for days. It is visible in the main channel where children are learning to sail during a weekday summer camp. Harbor Patrol officers said there is no proof it is harmful, but residents aren’t so sure. Homeowners said they were notified about a county project to clean watermains.

Many residents in Oxnard Shores and Mandalay Bay said they believe NRG turned off pumps used to circulate harbor water following the rejection of a plan to build another power plant on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard.

Oxnard crews said it would take about 7-days for the water test results to be complete.