Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question:
What are the pollutants of concern in stormwater?


Answer:
The Municipal Stormwater Permit (p. 1) lists the following pollutants of concern: cyanide, pathogen (bacteria) indicators, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, turbidity, nutrients (nitrogen compounds and phosphorus), total aluminum, dissolved cadmium, zinc, copper, total mercury, nickel, bis-2-ethylhexylphthalate (semivolatile organic), PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons), diazinon and chlorpyrifos (pesticides).

The Municipal Stormwater Permit also lists the following target pollutants for public outreach purposes by watershed management area:
Ballona Creek: trash, pathogen (bacteria) indicators, metals, PAHs
Malibu Creek: trash, nutrients (nitrogen compounds), pathogen (bacteria) indicators, sediments
Los Angeles River: trash, nutrients (nitrogen compounds), pathogen (bacteria) indicators, metals, pesticides, PAHs
San Gabriel River: trash, nutrients (nitrogen compounds), pathogen (bacteria) indicators, metals
Santa Clara River: nutrients (nitrogen compounds), coliform
Dominguez Chan.: trash, nutrients (nitrogen compounds), PAHs

Many of these pollutants of concern are associated with the impaired water bodies that the Regional Board has identified under the Total Maximum Daily Load program.


Links:
  Los Angeles Municipal Stormwater Permit

  1994-2000 Integrated Receiving Water Impact Report

  Total Maximum Daily Loads

  LACDPW Trash TMDL Technical Report