CASQA RECOGNIZES CITY FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Awards Ceremony Acknowledges Excellence in Stormwater Quality Management

Contact:  Jeffrey Endicott, CASQA, (909) 835-7537                                      Date: September 17, 2007

The California Stormwater Quality Association presented an award to the City of Santa Monica for its Westside water Quality Improvement Project at its third annual Stormwater Conference awards luncheon on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 being held at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa. 

The City of Santa Monica received The Treatment Control/Structural BMP Implementation Award for its Westside Quality Improvement Project.  The project was initiated to address a chronic urban runoff water quality problem that had damaged beaches in the coastal community.  This two-stage dry and wet weather runoff treatment facility treats water by screening and separating trash, debris, and sediments, and in a secondary treatment, removes soluble pollutants. Within its first months of implementation, the project has succeeded in removing pollution and creating visibly clearer water upon its exit from the treatment system.

“This system is innovative because we can change the devices and treat both gross and soluble pollutants.  We wanted to develop a system that was dynamic and flexible and could evolve if pollutants change,” said Neal Shapiro, urban runoff management coordinator for the city’s environmental programs division.

The CASQA awards program identifies and recognizes exemplary leadership, outstanding projects, activities and contributors to the field of stormwater quality management. “These projects embody the California Stormwater Quality Association’s goals to advance stormwater quality management, science, and regulation.  We recognize these projects for their success, innovation and dedication to the improvement of stormwater quality in California,” said Jeff Endicott, awards committee chair.

CASQA awards are available to both public and private projects and individuals from public agencies and private businesses.  Award candidates must be nominated by a CASQA member and are evaluated on demonstrated excellence, ingenuity, creativity, professionalism and documented results.  Awards may be made at local, regional and statewide levels.

 The California Stormwater Quality Association, founded in 1989, helps develop stormwater management programs and regulations that are technically and economically feasible, provide significant environmental benefits and effect compliance with State and Federal laws.  Through its efforts to improve stormwater management practices, CASQA is on its way to creating cleaner waterways and beaches throughout California.   

This page was last updated on 09/17/07.