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

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                                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.

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                     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.

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                            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

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                               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

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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.

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     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.

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                         1010'
   
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              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

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                       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

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                  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.

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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

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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

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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

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     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

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        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

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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

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                                                                                   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

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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

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          **.  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

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        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

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       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

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    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

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     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

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     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

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                                              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

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Condado Avenue Outfall
                                              Boulevard Street Outfall
                       Nairn  Street  Outfall

          Fig. 4 Outfalls, San  Juan  Beaches - March 1974
                               33

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        Gertrudis Street Outfall
                         Gardenia Street Outfall
Fig. 4, Outfalls, San Juan Beaches - March 1974 - cont'd.
                        34

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                              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

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     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        '   •


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                             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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