Health Risks to People Swimming Near Storm Drains

• Earaches
• Sinus Problems
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Rashes

Study findings revealed that individuals who swim in front of flowing storm drains are 50 percent more likely to develop a variety of symptoms than those who swim 400 yards away from the same drains.

What are they?

Microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, and protozoans) are essential to all forms of life. There are billions of types of micro-organisms that serve as building blocks for all kinds of ecosystems around the world. Most microorganisms are beneficial; they fill important miss such as helping humans digest food, aiding in the proper treatment of wastewater, and carrying out functions necessary to sustain the food chain. These helpful microorganisms are known as antigenic.

Most of these are natural marine viruses, but some may cause illnesses in swimmers.

The microorganisms that can cause harmful diseases are called pathogenic. Listed below are the three common microorganisms associated with polluted water:

Viruses - too small to be recognized by ordinary light microscopes, viruses am generally recognized by the symptoms that they produce in the host. All viruses are parasites and must grow on living tissue. Many viruses are associated with feces, and are expected to be found in domestic wastes. Because many viruses can survive for extended periods of time in natural waters and can occasionally withstand the treatment process, they pose a public health concern. Viruses of concern that are transported in water include hepatitis A, Norwalk-type virus, rotavirus, and adenovirus.

It is important to keep in mind that seawater typically contains about 1 billion bacteria and 1 trillion viruses that are not pathogenic to humans.

Pathogens may enter waters through point and non-point sources, while others may occur naturally in the environment. Some point sources are wastewater treatment facilities and combined sewer overflows. Non-point sources include land and road runoff, human sewage from recreational boats, and septic systems.

The Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant has greatly reduced the number of pathogens that are released into the environment through the disinfectant processes. However, treatment is not always 100% effective and breakdowns in facilities sometimes occur. During heavy rains, there is too much water for the sewage treatment plant to handle, and some untreated or partially treated water maybe disposed into the Santa Monica Bay.

Wildlife, domestic animals and birds may also contribute pathogens to the environment.

Protecting Yourself

There are measures you can take to reduce the chances of becoming ill when swimming in ocean waters. Children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses should be extra careful.

1. Swim in areas with good water circulation rather than in protected inlets
2. Don't put your head underwater
3. Stay out of the ocean for up to 72 hours after a rainstorm

In 1992, the Santa Monica Restoration Bay Project published a finding titled, An Epidermiological Study of Possible Adverse Health Effects of Swimming in Santa Monica Bay which concluded that recreational activity (e.g. swimming, surfing, etc.) near storm drain flows caused illnesses.