By LEON DROUIN KEITH
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 6, 2000 (AP)—The state's water-quality board approved new rules Thursday requiring Los Angeles-area developers to keep polluted rain water out of storm drains, where it would otherwise foul the ocean and possibly sicken beach visitors.
The rules, which take effect in February, are intended to cut down on contaminants, including gasoline, motor oil and pesticides, as well as the sheer volume of storm water funneled to the ocean instead of Southern California aquifers.
The State Water Resources Control Board eliminated some provisions of the Los Angles water quality agency's proposals, which more than one-third of Los Angeles County cities had opposed. But the rules that were approved are still expected to cost developers 1 percent to 2 percent more per project.
The new standards apply to construction or extensive renovation of hillside homes, housing developments with 10 or more units, commercial developments of 100,000 square feet or larger, car repair shops, restaurants and parking lots with 25 or more spaces.
Those projects will be required to have porous surfaces, dry wells or use other techniques to allow rain water to enter the ground. In some cases, treatment systems will be required to clean the water before it is sent to storm drains.
Water quality officials hope the standards will help rebuild ground water supplies which are shrinking as the earth's surface is covered by more buildings and pavement which keep rain water from percolating into the soil.
Regional water-quality officials, who made the estimates of higher construction costs, said the environmental benefits would balance the equation.
"You also have to weigh the cost of all the beach closures, which is really the bottom line," said Elizabeth Miller Jennings, senior counsel for the state board.
Water Resources Board: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov
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