U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EFFECT OF SAN JUAN'S OUTFALL
DISCHARGES ON BATHING
WATER QUALITY
SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION
REGION 2
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10O07
-------
a SCP 1974
EFFECT OF SAN JUAN'S OUTFALL
DISCHARGES ON BATHING BEACH
WATER QUALITY
Jflly
Jointly prepared by:
Environmental Quality Board
San Juan, P. R.
Surveillance 6 Analysis Division
Region II
New York, N. Y.
-------
CONTENTS
Page No.
Abstract 1
Introduction 2
Conclusions I'f
Recommendations 18
Discussion 19
*
Summary 35
Puerto Rico Water Quality Standards . . 37
References 38
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Page No.
Figure 1 - Map, Outfall 6 Sampling Station Locations 3
Description, Outfall & Sampling Locations * *»,5,6
Figure 1A - Map, Condado Avenue Outfall Station Locations. . . 8
Description, Sampling Stations, Condado Avenue Outfall Study. . 9
Figure IB - Map, Nairn Street Outfall Station Locations. ... 10
Description, Sampling Stations, Nairn Street Outfall Study. . . 11
Description, San Juan Beaches Pumping Stations 12
*
Figure 2 - Nairn Street Outfall Photographs "before and
after pumping" Study. 16,17
Table 1 - Ambient Study, Bacteriological Data, S. J. Beaches. 21
Table 1A - Ambient Study, Maximum Values Frequency of
Fecal Coliform Counts 22
Table IB - Ambient Study, Geometric Mean Fecal Coliform
Counts 23
Table .2 - Nairn Street Outfall Study, Bacteriological Data . _ 2k .
Table 3 ~ Condado Avenue Outfall Study,Bacteriological Data. 25
s
Table 5 - De Diego Pumping Station Operation Records .... 27,28
Figure 3 ~ De Diego Pumping Station Operation, Graph. . . . . 29
Table k - Outfall 6 Pumping Station Bacteriological Data . . 32
Figure k - Photographs of Five Beach Outfalls 33,3*»
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ABSTRACT
The Surveillance and Analysis Division, Region II, New York,
in cooperation with the Environmental Quality Board, Puerto Rico,
conducted an extensive investigation of the ambient water quality
associated with the beaches of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The program,
t
which involved several semi-diurnal investigations and special out-
fall studies, was conducted between March 9 and 13, 197*». Total
and fecal coliform measurements were used as bacterial indicators
*
of potential health hazards associated with the use of these beaches
for bathing and/or other water contact recreation.
Data gathered indicated areas of degraded ambient water quality
in association with intermittent and continuous outfall discharges.
The ambiguity in water quality. information can be correlated with
several variables; the intermittent nature of a number of the outfall
discharges; the proximity of sampling stations to the outfalls; shore
:>.
currents; and time of day or night. Based on the technical informa-
tion gathered during this study, it is recommended that the beach
area from approximately the Hyatt Hotel to Gertrudis Street be closed
j
immediately to bathing and contact recreation and that immediate re-
medial action be taken to alleviate both the short and long term
problem caused by the outfall discharges.
-------
INTRODUCTION
In 1971, EPA's Athens' Laboratory, who at that time had re-
sponsibility for technical programs in Puerto Rico, conducted
a series of investigations aimed at highlighting pollution
problems in the Condado Lagoon, San Juan Harbor, and along the
beaches of San Juan. The Environmental Quality Board (EOJ3) con-
sidered the results of these studies preliminary; therefore, in
1973 they requested the S&A Division, Region I I, to conduct more
intensive studies in order to better define the problems reported.
A three-phase program was planned and initiated in cooperation
with EO.B. This report, however, deals only with the San Juan beach
study, as companion reports on the Condado Lagoon and San Juan
Harbor have been separately prepared.
More than 12 miles of Atlantic Ocean sand beaches, from a
publid beach at the Capitol in Old San Juan at the-west limit, ex-
tending eastward to the Belneario Isla Verde, adjacent to the
tJ
International Airport, were involved in this study. (Figure I)
The area is devoted almost entirely to tourist and resident recrea-
T
tion and is bordered almost completely by resort hotels and condo-
miniums both inhabited and under construction along with
some private houses, parks, stores and restaurants servicing the
area.
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NAVAL RESERVE OFFICERS BEACH
BOI .
.PISCINA OLIMPICA OUTFALl
HYATT
CONDADO CERVANTES OUTFA
NAIRN ST. OUTFALL
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CERVANTES AVE. OUTFALL
WASHINGTON AVE. OUTFALl
SAN JUAN
BAY «
OERTRUDIS ST. OUTFALl
GARDENIA ST. OUTFAll
HOLIDAY INN
VIOIETA ST. PIPES
ALL STATION NUMBERS ARE PREFIXED BY 7«SJ.
(Q
C
SAN JUAN BEACHES STUDY
OUTFALL AND SAMPLING STATION LOCATIONS
-------
SAN JUAN BEACHES
Station
74SJB01
74SJB02
74SJB03
74SJB04
74SJB05
74SJB06
74SJB07
74SJB08
74SJB09
74SJB10
74SJB11
74SJB12
74SJB13
74SJB14
74SJB15
74SJB16
74SJB17
74SJB18
74SJB19
SAMPLING STATION LOCATIONS
MARCH 1974
Description
Beach at Capitol Building
West End of U. S. Naval Reserve Officers Beach
North Side of Beach at Piscina Olimpica
Pier adjacent to Caribe Hilton Hotel Beach
Beach adjacent to West End of Helio Isla Hotel
*
Small park next to El Mirado Condominium
Beach at Hyatt Hotel (formerly La Concha)
Beach at Atlantic Beach Hotel
Beach at Lindomar Hotel and Stella Moris Condominium
Beach at Puerto Rico Sheraton Hotel
Beach at Condado Del Mar Condominium
Beach at Playground Park adjacent to "Las des" Condominium
':>;
Beach at Foot of Calle Corrions Court
Center of Beach at Barbosa Park (Parque Barbosa)
Beach at Park Boulevard Condominium
T
Beach at new condominiums, % mile west of Racquet Club
Condominium
Beach at condominiums (under construction), \ mile west
of Racquet Club Condominium
Beach at west corner of Racquet Club Condominium
Beach at Americana Hotel
-------
Station No._ Description
74SJB20 Beach just east of El San Juan Hotel
74SJB21 Beach 500 feet west of Holiday Inn (main building)
74SJB22 Beach 1000 feet east of Holiday Inn at new building
(Mar De Isla Verde)
74SJB23 West End of Balneario Isla Verde
74SJB24 Center Beach at Balneario Isla Verde
74SJB25 East End of Balneario Isla Verde
»
NOTE: No stations were located within 100-150 feet of outfalls.
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SAN JUAN BEACHES
OUTFALL LOCATIONS
Piscina Olimpica Outfall
Condado Avenue Outfall
Outfall Between Condado Avenue
and Cervantes Avenue
Ceravantes Avenue Outfall
Outfall Between Washington
Avenue and Nairn Street
Nairn Street Outfall
Gertrudis Street Outfall
Boulevard Street Outfall
Gardenia Street Outfall
Pipes Between Vyoleta Street
and Marginal Street .<.
At 2^-inch pipe located behind Normandy
Hotel. Gravity flow during high rainfall.
At 36 x 36-inch concrete pipe located
at foot of Avenida Condado. Effluent hot,
at 32°C flow about i~l inch deep. Continu-
ous flow (Figure *t).
At 12-inch pipe at west wall to hptel com-
plex. Discharge at wall, underground seep-
age and dry channel to beach. Apparent
flow during rainfall only.
At k2 by 42-inch concrete pipe located at
foot of Calle Cervantes. Flow continuous
at 12 inch of wetted area in center of
pipe, l~i inch of flow.
Two k-inch metal pipes that extend into the
water. Located west of Presbyterian Hospital
at rocks. Submerged pipes.
Square pipe, 36 by 36~inch with large horn-
like breather located behind Condado Del Mar
Condominium (Figure k). Serviced by de Diego
Pumping Station. Intermittent discharge.
36-inch circular concrete pipe. Inter-
mittent discharge constructed with .large
hornlike breather. Located at Foot:>;of Calle
Gertrudis. Serviced by the Ocean Park Pump-
ing Station. Intermittent discharge.
Located at foot of street adjacent to Racquet
Club Condominium. Concrete pipe, at 12 inches,
that discharges onto the beach and channel
flow to the ocean (Figure k). Continuous
discharge.
Twelve (12) inch concrete pipe partially
buried in sand. Effluent escapes from loose
joint in pipe and flows via channel to the
ocean. Located behind the El San Juan Hotel.
Continuous discharge.
Two PVC pipes at 6-inch diameter located 500
feet east of Holiday Inn and behind site of
new building construction site. Intermittent
discharge.
-------
Since there were 10 potential discharge points along the
stretch of beaches, six of which were known to be active
four continuous and two intermittent the technical program,
which was designed to measure the impact and significance of
these outfall discharges, as well as the ambient conditions
in the surf zone, was sub-divided as follows:
....Semi-diurnal studies, with a two hour sampling
frequency of one continuous (Condado Avenue) and
one intermittent stormwater outfall (Nairn Street).
Samples were taken at the point of discharge and at
four stations east and west of each outfall pipe.
Stations were grouped so as to define the sphere of
influence of these discharges. (Figs. 1A, IB)
At the Nairn Street stormwater outfall, which is
connected to the de Diego pumping station, discharges
occur approximately once every eight hours during dry
weather conditions. Studies were undertaken to charac-
terize the impact, strength and volume of this typical.
intermittent discharge. To define impact, pre and post-
conditions were examined, i.e., the outfall stations
were sampled five times, at two hour intervals, prior
*j*
to and after discharge.
-------
1010'
-------
CONDADO AVENUE OUTFALL STUDY (CONTINUOUS)
SAMPLING STATION LOCATIONS
MARCH 12, 197*>
Station No.
74SJLM01
7ASJLM02
74SJLM03
74SJLM05
7ASJLM06
74SJLM07
74SJLM08
74SJLM09
Description
Hyatt Hotel Beach, 1010 feet west of outfall,
most westerly station
t
Sea View Hotel Beach, 710 feet west of outfall
Atlantic Beach Hotel Beach, 435 feet west of outfall
Stella Moris Condominium Beach, 110 feet west
of outfall
«
Lindomar Outfall, 36 by 36-inch cement pipe
located at Foot of Avenida Condado
Adjacent to rock jetty, 92 feet east of outfall
West corner of Puerto Rico Sheraton main building,
237 feet east of outfall
East corner of Puerto Rico Sheraton main bui.lding
(off metal statue), 392 feet east of outfall
East of Puerto Rico Sheraton Hotel, 507 feet east
of outfall, 100 feet west of AFDA Outfall
-------
560'
4701
9301
ID
C
All STATION NUMBERS PREFIXED BY 74SJ
100 JOO 300 400 500
1,000
SAN JUAN BEACHES
NAIRN STREET OUTFALL STUDY
STATION LOCATIONS
-------
NAIRN STREET (STORM) OUTFALL STUDY
SAMPLING STATION LOCATIONS
MARCH 6 & 13. 19
Station No.
74SJCD01
74SJCD02
7*»SJCD03
74SJCD04
74SJCD05
74SJCD06
7*»SJCD07
74SJCD08
74SJCD09
Descri ption
Most westerly station, 560 feet west of outfall,
near hospital <
Foot of Calle Nairn, 360 feet west of outfall
Off Condado Del Mar swimming pool, 240 feet west
of outfal1 .
100 feet west of outfall at rear fence gate.
At outlet to submerged outfall located behind Condado
Del Mar Condominium. Serviced by de Diego Pumping Station
120 feet east of outfall
220 feet east of outfall
470 feet east of outfall and adjacent to Playground
Park
Most easterly station, 920 feet east of outfall
11
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SAN JUAN BEACHES
PUMPING STATIONS
de Diego Pumping Station
Ocean Park Pumping Station
Located at Jose de Diego across street
from Pierre Hotel. Normally pumps at
8-hour intervals and more frequently
during rainfall. Operated by Commonwealth
Department of Public Works and Transporta-
tion. Operator on duty 2k hourst Pumping
records are kept. 4.5 pumps rated at
3^,000 gpm. Pumps to outfall located be-
hind the Condado Del Mar Condominium.
Pumps an average of 450,000 gpd during
dry weather flow.
Located at Santa Ana and McLeary. Small
station with one pump which is rated at
775 gpm. Normal pumping schedule is
three times a day at 6 AM, 2 PM, and 10 PM
at 1/2 hour per pumping. More frequently
during rainfall* Pumps an average of
69>750 gpd. A second is being prepared
for installation at the pumping station.
Pump may run for 1-2 hours during rain-
fall. This station is operated by the
City of San Juan. No written records
are kept of pumping schedule.
12
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Ambient water quality samples were taken at 25 stations
along the 12 mile stretch of beach. (Fig. I) No station
was located within 100 to 150 feet of an outfall pipe,
and no data collected during the special outfall studies
were used in the compilation of the ambient bacterio-
logical levels.
Samples were taken by wading into the surf zone and
stations were sampled twice a day, once in the morning
*
am) again in the afternoon, for three successive days.
Total and fecal coliform assays were performed using
the membrane filter (MF) technique, as specified in
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 13th edition, 1971.
13
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CONCLUSIONS
Ambient Study
In beach sections where there are no outfalls, fecal coliform
counts were consistently low at all times. In areas adjacent to
outfalls higher fecal coliform counts were found, systematically
higher in the morning than in the afternoon.
«
A statistical evaluation of the bacteriological data clearly
sub-divides the 12-mile beach area into three "quality" zones
two of which indicate excellent ambient conditions and one which is
degraded. Zone 2, or that area containing six outfalls (Stations
74SJB06 - small park next to El Miraco Condominium - through 7*»SJB13 -
beach at foot of Calle Corrions Court) showed a morning-afternoon
variation, with high fecal coliform counts in the morning decreasing
with time. These high-morning fecal counts, if considered independ-
ently of the afternoon low counts, indicate a health hazard for half
of these stations. The other two zones, located east and west of Zone 2,
do not show or indicate potential health problems. If additional
*J .
morning samples with comparable fecal coliform levels were collected,
these stations would be in formal violation of the existing Puerto
. T
Rico water quality standards.
The systematic coliform count variation with time cited above
shows that water quality surveillance could either emphasize the po-
tential health hazard or neglect it, according to the times that
samples are taken.
-------
Outfall Studies
The outfall studies once more demonstrated that coliform counts
in the vicinity of the discharge can vary over several orders of
magnitude during the day, similar to, but not as strongly systematically
as in the ambient study. {
A special study of a pumped intermittent outfall showed that,
during and for a brief time after pumping, odor and receiving water
discoloration provisions of the water quality standards were violated.
(Figure 2) The conform counts of the effluent and the pattern of
coliform count versus lateral distance from the outfall pipe in their
vicinity conclusively implicate the outfalls as the sources of existing
and potential health hazards.
15
-------
Before pumping 1307 hr
About 200 ft west of outfall 1311 hr
»-.»^ "^
-~
Just after start of discharge 1310 hr
Fig. 2 Nairn Street Outfall
Before & after pumping study March 13, 1974
-------
200-400 ft west of outfall 1311-1320 hr
200-400 ft west of outfall 1321 hr
Fig. 2 Nairn Street Outfall - cont'd.
Before & after pumping study March 13, 1974
17
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The beach areas extending from station 7**SJB06 (small park next
to El Mirado Condominium) to station 7^SJB13 (beach at foot of
Calle Corrions Court) be posted and closed to bathing.
2. The potential health hazard associated with the outfalls require^
the rapid elimination of these discharges to the beaches and the
surf zone as the long term solution. The preferred way to elim-
inate the potential danger and the aesthetic degradation of the
affected areas is to re-route the discharge, preferably to a point
of treatment, and complete removal of the outfall structures.
3. Another less, desirable alternative would be to remove all illegal
«
connections and extend the outfalls out past the surf zone to allow
for dilution as well as eliminate the near shore .problems of direct
contact with the effluent.
k. An intermediate "stop-gap" measure would be to chlorinate or
otherwise disinfect the effluents prior to discharge. However,
before such an approach were instituted studies would have to be
undertaken to demonstrate that the level of the chlorine residual
in the effluents would not cause irreparable harm to the sensitive
reef communities.
18
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DISCUSSION
A 1971 survey by Region IV's personnel, EPA, Athens, Ga. of the
2
San Juan beaches indicated violation of ambient water quality standards*
over a section of the beach area lying between stations 7**SJB09 (beach at
Lindomar Hotel) and 7**SJB13 (beach at foot of Calle Cirrions Court).
Some Athens' stations were located in close proximity to outfalls,
raising the possibility that the high coliform counts did not represent
general ambient conditions but rather reflected only localized effect^s
due to the outfalls.
Accordingly, one purpose of our study was to disassociate the ambient
conditions from those of the outfalls per se. To do this, no station for the
ambient study was closer to an outfall than 100-150 feet; separate studies
were conducted at and near the outfalls.
Total and Fecal Coliform
«
This disassociation was essentially successful, as can be seen by compar-
ing the results of the ambient study with those of the outfall studies.
The tabulated data (Tables 1,2, and 3) include six individual collections
(samples) for each of the twenty-five ambient stations, and five collections
(samples) for each of nine outfall stations. These data also include the geo-
metric mean .for each station. The following discussion considers only fecal con-
form since present bacterial standards for contact uses are based solely on
fecal coliform. ' '
Although the geometric mean values in the first instance suggest that none
of the ambient stations violated water quality standards during our 3~day study,
such an interpretation is misleading with regard to present and potential
health hazards as the following discussion of the data will bring out.
'»
'*"**.
*As few as five samples per month is acceptable under the standards.
19
-------
Examination of the tabulated data shows that:
1. The beaches can be divided into three sections:
a. A middle section with relatively high fecal coliform
counts, and containing six outfalls: Stations 74SJB06,
small park next to El Mirado Condominium through 7*»SJB13,
Beach at Foot of Calle Corrions Court. ,
b. The section to the west, containing one outfall
with low fecal counts: Stations y'tSJBOl - beach at
Capitol building through 7^SJB05, beach at Helio
Isla Hotel.
c. The section to the east, containing two outfalls",*
with low fecal counts, but with some influence from
«
the outfalls: Stations 7^SJB14 - beach at Parque
Barbosa through 7*»SJB25, beach at east end of
Balneario Isla Verde.
2. The elevated fecal counts are directly associated with
outfalls; the fecal count distribution pattern is con-
sistent with the observed east-to-west longshore current.
3. Fecal coliform counts during the ambient study, especially
in the middle section, are systematically higher in the
morning than in the afternoon (Tables 1, lA, .IB). In
the outfall studies counts varied dramatically through-
out the day.(Tables 2 and 3)
*A set of pipes, between Violeta & Marginal Street, is apparently the
discharge for pumping ground water from the excavation of new construction.
It is not considered an outfall for the purpose of this discussion.
20
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TABLE 1
SAN JUAN BEACHES STUDY
March 9-11', 1974
_ Total and Fecal Collform/100 ml
Total Coltforro
9 March AM
9 March PM
10 March AM
10 March PM
U March AM
11 March PM
Geometric Mean
Fecal 'Collform
9 March AM
9 March PM
10 March AM
10 March PM
11 March AM
11 March PM
Geometric Mean
B Colony count
K Leaa than.
;[F
J0l_
680
1 K
. 12 B
I ' B
4 4 B
3 B
9
MF
1 K
1 K
- 1 K
1 K
1 K
I K
1 K
BO 2
6 B
3 B
30
1 K
1 B
1 B
3
1 K
1 K
1 K
1 K
1 K
1 K
1 K
outalde acceptable
B03 B04
21 25
SO B IB
11 B 2 B
IB 3 B
12 B IB
2 B 2 B
9 3
IK IB
IB IB
IK IK
IK IK
IB IK
IK IB
IK IK
BOS
220
10 B
108
21
192
12 B
48
13 B
1 B
4 B
1 K
1 K
. 5 B
3
B06
1400 B
5 B
2300
4 B
230
2 B
56
68 B
2 B
168
1 K
14 B
1 B
8
B07 .
6800
10 B
2800
150 B
720
330
435
172
1 B
184
4 B
62 B
1 B
14
BOS
20000
15 B
7200
36
4400
4700
1082
240
1 B
480
1 B
104
23
26
B09
46000
26
18000 B
44
5100
300
1063
364 B
1 K
820
2 B
92
1 K
20
BIO
1800 B
18 B
3200
2 B
690
48
138
88
2 B
468 B
1 B
112
i a
14
Bll '
5000
230
2400
300
5000
28
698
116
6 B
160
17 B
460
3 B
55
B12
6200
44
450
*12 B
77
33
125
176
3 B
84
1 B
7 B
1 B
8
B13
400
330
300
220
230
610
327
18 B
22
28
14 B
44
35
25
B14
3 B
2 B
5 B
1 K
14 B
1 K
3
1 B
1 K
1 K
1 K
3 B
1 K
2
515
5 B
2 B
3 B
2 B
3 B
1 K
2
1 B
1 K
1 K
1 K
1 K
.1 K
1 K
160 B
4 B
76 B
24 B
12 B
4 B
20
10 B
1 K
7 B
1 K
1 K
2
B17
170 B
200
580
48 B
8 B
95
13 B
1 B
28 B
6 B
1 K
4
B18
240
400
88
1180
24 B
182
6 B
38
80 B
1 K
8
B19
23
4 K
4 K
12 B
4 B
7
15 B
1 K
1 K
1 B
2
_B20
1 K
4 K
4 B
24 B
4 B
-5-
1 K
1 K
2 B
1 K
1
_B21_
100 K
4 B
12 B
11
1 B
1 K
1 B
1 K
1 K
B22
1 B
4 K
16 B
16 B
4
1 K
1 K
2 B
1 K
1
B23
120 B
4 B
44 B
4 B
12
1 K
1 K
2 B
1 K
1 K
1
B24 825
3 B 20
8
68 B 8
4 K 8
7 8
IB 3
IK 1
33 1
IK 1
9 B 1
3 1
analytical range.
5J
-------
TABLE 1A
MAXIMUM VALUES FREQUENCY OF FECAL COLIFORM COUNTS
Ambient Study - 3 Days AM & PM
Number of Samples Showing
Station
Group Time Max.
74SJB01 AM 13
-74SJB05 PM 5
74SJB06 AM 820
-74SJB13 PM 35
74SJB14 AM 80
-74SJB25 PM 33
> 400/
100 ml
0
0
4
0
0
0
200-400/
100 ml
0
0
2
0
0
0
100-200/
100 ml
0
0
8
0
0
0
50-100/
100 ml
0
0
5
0
1
0
< 50/
, 100 ml
15
15
5
24
35
36
22
-------
TABLE IB
GEOMETRIC MEAN FECAL COLIFORM COUNTS
AMBIENT STUDY - AM & PM
_ Geometric Mean (3 Samples) F.C./100 ml
Station: 74SJB06 74SJB07 74SJB08 74SJB09
AM; 83 139 275 425
PM: 1 2 8 1 /|
Condado
Outfs
P. R. SI
Outf!
74SJB10 74SJB11 74SJB12 74SJB13
223
1 >
Avenue
ill;
leraton
ill
245 89 30
v 9 /h 2 24
Nairn Street /
Outfall /
Cervantes Avenue Outfall;
Washington Avenue and
Nairn Street Outfall
Gertrudis
Street
Outfall
23
-------
HAIRS STREET OUTFALL STUDY
Tot«l Conform (/100 ml)
Fecal Collform (/100 all
March 6. 1974 CDOt
090? 73
1100 38
1300 120 B
1500 140 B
4630 200
Geometric Mem 62
CD02 .CD03
5600 560
68 2800
280 720
31 2000
32 120 B
177 770
CD04 CDOS*
3800 2. "7x10*
8.5x10*
5.8x10*
2200
2700
1.6x10*
B 8.0x10* L
3.0x10*
4.7x10*
4.1xl04 .
2.6x10*
_CD06
840 B
480
220
60
300~
276
CD07 CD08
360 740
2100 2000
200 83 B
280 360
370 Tib
436 480
Before/ After
Total Coltform (/100 ml)
March 13.
1300
1300
1400
1974
0)04
1800 B
1.5x10* B
2.1x10*
CMS
1300 B
SOOU
7800
ISO B
10400 B
1.6x10* B
CD09
490
580
74
150 B*
600
285
CD01 0)02
20 450
06 B 16 B
20 9 B
14 B' 02 B
16 B 01 B
14 11
0)03
66 B
127 B
112 B
124 B
09 B
64
coo*
210
4.5x10*
2200
80
160
767
_ CMS*
3900
2.1x10*
8600 B
B 2.0x10*
B ' 260
8886
CD06 CD07 CD08
103 B 37 103 B
ISO B 220 110 B
17 B 11 B 10 B
12 B 21 .It B
26 . 18 B 14 B
40 32 30
CDOT
83 B
140 B
08 B
. 14 B
39
35
PumplnR Study
Fecal Conform (/100
CD04
108
9500 B
1280
CD05
SO B
280
1200 B
ml)
C006
32
920
440
Before punptng
20'
60*
after start of pu
after start of po
Pin*
pins
* Staple collected from receiving water at point of discharge.
B Colony count outside acceptable analytical range.
L Greater than.
NOTE: All stations have prefix 763J
-------
TABLE 3
' J -
Tine
0800
1000
1200
1400
1600 ,
Geo--^
metric
Hean i
LM01
6500
3700 '
140-B-
51
79
423
"02
6700 B
1.4x10* B
210 ',
1020 B,
28
939
"P3
2.2x10*"
3200
240
2100
250
1547
Total Collform (/100 ml)
UO4
2.3xl05 .
3.1x10*
6400
3.5x10*
3300
2.21x10*
LMDS
9.8xl07 B
1.2xl07 B
6.0x10*'
2.0xlO*
3.1xlOr
1.34xl07
LM06
' 980
1040
' 184
660
16 B
288
CONDADO AVENUE OUTFALL STUDY _
March 12, 1974
LH07
160C B>
2200
120 B
230 .
16 B
274
LH08
jwe-
2800
76
480
230
548
LM09
-Trw,
3100
560
670
160 B
1083
LM01 LM02
. 284 B 840
18*8 460
9 B 27
IB 78 B
19 B 2 B
25 70
LM03
2100
352 B
9 B
108
4 B ,
125
Fecal
mo4
7400 B
1040
264 B
600
60
593
Collform (/100 !)
6.0xl06
2.0x10*
10* B
3.1x10*
4.4x10*
1.75x10*
LM06
' 59
.128
11 B
30
1 K
12
UC7
108
168
7 B
10 B
5 B"
23
UC8
108
391 B
5 B
20
.6 B
- 30
U09**
284 B
192
13 B
14 B
13 B
4J
* Sample wai collected from hole In outfall pipe before dilution. .
** The Cervantea Avenue outfall (continuoua) la located 100 ft. eaat of LM09.
NOTE: All atatlona have prefix 74SJ '
B 'Colony count outalde acceptable analytical range.
'K Leaa than. -
25
-------
**. Fecal counts also had significant day-to-day
variation. Compare:
Beach at 7^SJB09 : geometric mean 3/9 - 3/11 = 20/100 ml
Lindmar Hotel 7ASJLMOA: " " 3/12 = 593/100 ml
Beach at Condado 7*»SJB11 : " " 3/9 - 3/11 - 55/100 ml
del Mar Condomin- 73AJCDO'*: " " 3/6 = 7&7/IOO ml
ium .
This day-to-day difference also includes any differences due to the
higher sampling frequency in the outfall studies, which would be more
apt to pick up times of higher fecal counts.
Although the data do not specifically identify the reason for
the'higher morning counts in the ambient study,.the following reasons
appear most probable.
1. Differences in mixing during flood and ebb tides. High
water occurred .at about 1000 hours; low water, at about
1500-1600 hours. Morning samples were taken between 0800
and 1030 hours; afternoon samples, between 1200 and 1430
hours.
« 2. In the case of the intermittent (storm water) outfalls, the
morning samples may show the effects of pumping early that
morning or late the previous day (Table.5 6 Figure 3)-
3. For continuous discharges, the counts may reflect variations.
in the rate of discharge and the strength of effluent.
k. Progressive "die-off" during the day may have occurred
from the solar ultraviolet irradiation1.
26
-------
TABLE 5
Avenida de Diego Pumping Station Schedule - March 2-13, 1974
Pumps Rated at 34,000 GPM
Date
3/2/74
n
3/3/74
3/4/74
it
n
it
ii
n
it
3/5/74
" *
ii
11
n
n
3/6/74
3/7/74
n
n
ii
Pumping
Intervals (hrs.)
0244-0247
1515-1523
2145-2149
0640-0644
1226-1229
1450-1451
2115-2118
2315-2318
0200
1430
1722
1815
1902
1944
2006
2112
2230
2359
1120-
1611-
1641-
1706-
1742-
1839-
2245-
2320-
0206
1439
1725
1824
1912
1956
2016
-2123
2240
2400
1125
1615
1648
1717
1748
1842
2248
2326
0200-0205
0415-0423
0910-0921
1712-1716
0335-0339
1008-1010
1237-1239
1920-1925
2102-2109
Total Pumping
Time (min.)
3
8
4
4
3
1
3
3
6
9
3
9
10
7
10
11
10
1
5>
4
7
11
6
3
3
6
5
8
11
4
4
2
2
5
7
Total
Gallons
102,000
272,000
136,000
136,000
102,000
34,000
102,000
102,000
204,000
306,000
102,000
306,000
340,000
238,000
340,000
374,000
340,000
34,000
170,000
136,000
238,000
374,000
204,000
102,000
102,000
204,000
170,000
272,000
374,000
136,000
136,000
68,000
68,000
170,000
238,000
Total Gallons
/Day
510,000
476,000
2,584,000
1,530,000
952,000
680,000
27
-------
TABLE 5 - cont'd.
Date
3/8/74
n
"
ti
3/9/74
it
ti
n
3/10/74
ii
3/11/74
"
n
11
3/12/74
ii
n
*3/ 13/74
ii
Pumping
Intervals (hrs.)
0400-0405
1641-1648
2300-2303
0630-0633
1450-1455
1125-1128
2234-2237
1325-1330
2335-2400
0600-0603
1322-1330
1745-1749
0138-0141
1306-1311
Total Pumping
Time (min.)
5
7
3
3
5
3
3
5
5
3
8
4
3
5
Total
Gallons
170,000
238,000
102,000
102,000
170,000
102,000
102,000
170,000
170,000
102,000
272,000
136,000
102,000
170,000
Total Gallons
/Day
510,000
374,000
102,000
442,000
408,000
272,000
*Incomplete records this date.
28
-------
2,700,000
2,500,000
2,300,000
2.100,000
1,900,000 -
1,700,000 -
v 1,500,000 -I
o
3 1,300,000
1,100,000 -
900,000
700,000-
500,000
300,000 -
100.000
6 7
MARCH 1974
10 II 12
DE DIEGO PUMPING STATION
PUMPING RECORD - MARCH 2-12, 1974
Figure 3
29
-------
Regardless of the reason, however, it Is clear that shoreline
contamination by the outfalls varies significantly throughout the
day, and during our survey contamination was much more severe in
the morning. In fact, the trend shown in Table IB indicates that
at least four of the eight stations in the middle beach section are
potentially in violation of the standards and they present an overall
(
bacteriological health hazard.
This, and the previously cited day-to-day variability, emphasize
that cursory water quality sampling can disguise or amplify this
hazard according to whether sampling times coincide with the low-count
or the high-count conditions.
Color and Odor .
During the Nairn Street outfall study on March 6, a dark, odorous
discharge was observed at about 1100 hours**. A special, short-term
study was arranged for March 13, in which the de Diego pumping station
initiated pumping for our benefit at a prearranged time. Thus, we
- .,-:>;
coyld sample and observe before, during, and after pumping.
During the approximately 5 minute duration of pumping, about
170,000 gallons were discharged. Table 2 contains the bacteriological
T
data from this brief study.
Visually.more dramatic was the intense dark stain which spread
rapidly westward. The photographs in Figure 2 record the appearance
and travel of the discharge***. An odor typical of domestic sewage
was present again.
**This time does not'agree *with pumping times recorded by the operators.
See Table 5.
***The yellow coloration in the water "before pumping" is natural and is
owed to extensive sand entrainment by the turbulent surf. This near-
shore sand entrainment- is evident to varying degrees at nearly all the
beach stations.
30
-------
The stain and odor from the Nairn Street discharge violate the
color and odor provisions of the Puerto Rico standards.
Aesthetics and Further Health Hazards of Outfalls
Figure k contains photographs of five of the outfalls. The
structures are not attractive, and are out of harmony with the recrea-
tional use of the beaches. More disconcerting is the sight of
effluents cutting open channels through the sand as they flow over
the beach to the ocean. As we were sampling, we saw people step
into the effluent in these open channels as they crossed. This
also presents a potential health hazard, if the skin on the feet
is not intact, because of the high fecal coliform counts of these
effluents. See Table k, Condado Ave., Cervantes St., Boulevard Ave,,
Gardenia St. outfalls.
31
-------
Table 4
San Juan Beaches
Outfall and Pumping Station Data - March 5-13, 1974
Name
Date
Condado Avenue Outfall 3/5/74
3/10/74
Cervantes Avenue Outfall 3/9/74
3/11/74
Boulevard Street Outfall 3/5/74
" " " 3/10/74
Gardenia Street Outfall 3/9/74
" " " 3/11/74
*de Diego Pumping Station 3/13/74
**0cean Park Pumping Station 3/13/74
Lab No.
MF Total Coliform
/100 ml
MF Fecal Coliform
/100 ml
33002
33216
33214
33146
33001
33217
33215
33432
33405
33406
34,000,000
94,000,000
39,000
260,000
4,000,000
80,000,0001
400B
68,000
18,000,0008
800,0001
1,600,0008
760,0008
210
3,700
110,0008
54,000
10K
5,300
10,000,000
60,000
de Diego Pumping Station normally pumps three (3) times a day at 8-hour intervals,
-Pumping is more frequent during rainy weather.
**The Ocean Park Pumping Station normally pumps three (3) times a day (at 6 AM,- 2 PM
a_nd 10 PM). Pumping is more frequent during rainy weather.
B*= Colony Count Acceptable Analytical Range
K = Less than
L = Greater Than
32
-------
Condado Avenue Outfall
Boulevard Street Outfall
Nairn Street Outfall
Fig. 4 Outfalls, San Juan Beaches - March 1974
33
-------
Gertrudis Street Outfall
Gardenia Street Outfall
Fig. 4, Outfalls, San Juan Beaches - March 1974 - cont'd.
34
-------
SUMMARY
The beach studies show that the incidence of substantial total
and fecal coliform counts correlates with location of continuous
and intermittent outfalls on the beach. Most strongly affected is
the section of beach where six outfalls are located (7ASJB06, small
park next to El Mirado Condominium; 7**SJB013» beach at foot of Calle
Corrions Court).
In this outfall area, coliform counts vary greatly and system-
atically throughout the day, and from day-to-day. This variability
leads to an interesting situation in the evaluation of hazard to health.
On the one hand, examination of the detailed sample-by-sample
results show that at least half of the beach area, between stations .
74SJB06, small park next to El Mirado Condominium and 7ASJB13, beach
at foot of Calle Corrion Court crted, poses a health hazard for at
least part of the day. ;>
« . -'.'
On the other hand, a "by the book" geometric mean treatment
masks the fine detail and presents a picture of a marginally "safe"
beach. For example, fecal coliform densities of 364, 480, 820, 468,
and 460 were observed in the middle section of beaches 74SJB06, small
park next to El Mirado Condominium, and 74SJB13* beach at foot of
Calle Corrions Court at the AM sampling period.
35
-------
Fecal coliform bacteria originate from warm blooded animal's
intestinal tract and their presence in water indicates the potential
presence of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. As fecal coliform
levels increase, there is a greater probability that human pathogens,
such as Salmonella wi11 be present. The fecal coliform standard of
200 was selected because this number is compatible with data which
indicate low probability of enteric pathogen occurrence. Data
from estuarine waters indicate that at the 200 fecal coliform level,
there is a 28.k percent occurrence of Salmonella. When the densities
increase above 200, (200 - 2000) there is a kk percent probability
of Salmonella. On the basis of these studies, one can estimate in-
creasing health hazards to bathers who swim at these beaches during
the time of elevated densities of fecal coliform bacteria.
.Besides .the above indicated health hazards and the violations
of fecal coliform standards, one outfall violated the color and odor
standards. To maintain the full recreational, economic, and aesthetic
values of these beaches, it is necessary to eliminate the effects of
the outfalls. Solutions recommended include as an interim measure,,
disinfection of the effluents, re-routing the flow to treatment plants;
extending the outfalls seaward for greater dilution, and removal of
illegal connections.
-------
,
.,
J -1 } i : S3 .US.'
,
A'al wa; *] -ows;
3. Fe<
(5 531-0; .- : ,, and1-
no ' r ^dO/lOO ml.
2, No ' . 'pt by
nai.
3. Mo . ; : . ,-:':',:.
ry con tac t i '
-------
REFERENCES
', fX'tnmonwealth of Puerto Rico, Office of the Governor, Environmental
Board, Mater Quality Standards Regulations, June 1973.
?., yjivironmental Protection Agency Southeast Water Laboratory Technical
Services Program, Athens, Georgia, February 1971, A Study of Coastal
Mater Quality in the Vicinity of San Juan, Puerto Rico: January 13-31,
1971. ...'.'
3, Geldreich, E. E. Applying bacteriological parameters to recreational
water quality. J. Am. Wat. Wks. Ass. 62^:113-120. 1970
4, Dutka, B. J. and 0. B. Bell. Isolation of Salmonella from moderately
polluted waters. J. Wat. Poll. Contr. Fed., 45: 316-324. 1973
5. Van Dorsel, D. J. and E. E. Geldreich. Relationships of Salmonella
to fecal coli forms in the bottom sediments. Wat. Res. 5; 1079-1087. 1971
6. Brezenski, F. T. and R. Russomanno. The detection and use of Salmonellae
s in studying polluted tidal estuaries. J. Wat. Poll. Contr. Fed.,
41_: 725-737. 1969 : - '
?..; Stone, Richard W. , Kaufman, Warren J. and Home, Alexander J. Long-Term
Effects of Toxicants and Biostimulants on the Water of Central San Francisco
Bay. California State Water Resources Control Board, Publication No. 51,
1974
38
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