This section presents recommendations on non-structural Best Management Practices (BMP's) for the control of surface runoff from various sources. A BMP is a practice or combination of practices determined to be the most effective and feasible means to prevent or reduce water quality degradation. BMP's specifically pertaining to stormwater management and soil erosion control are discussed in Section 5.2.2.
1. Control direct discharges into storm drains: Recurring problems have been noted with contractors and maintenance personnel disposal practices of leftover materials. Personnel performing cement, stucco, or painting activities have disposed of slurry and paint materials by dumping them down into catch basins. Surface runoff of excess cement slurry material into catch basins has also been noted. Once having entered the storm drain system, these materials will eventually be flushed out into Strawberry Creek when sufficient runoff flow occurs. Problems have also occurred in the past with backflushing of the Haas area pools. When more than one tank was backflushed at a time, overflow of chlorinated pool water ran into the storm drain system and hence, the creek. Chlorine may combine with ammonia-nitrogen in the creek to form chloramines (combined chlorine residuals) which are deleterious to aquatic life. Personnel at Haas were advised of the situation and their practices were modified. Disposal of used crankcase oil and various other chemicals into the North Berkeley storm drains is also a concern. Anti-dumping ordinances and regulations should be enforced. Dumping of any materials into catch basins should be expressly prohibited in all applicable DOFM and LBL policies and contracts.
2. Evaluate chemical use practices: The following herbicides and pesticides are currently in use on University grounds:
Herbicides (active ingredients)
- Buctril (octanoic acid ester of Bromoxynil or 2, 6-dibromo-4-cyanophynloctanoate)
- Brush-B-Gone (3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl-oxyacetic acid)
- Roundup (n - phosphonomethyl glycine)
- Turflon (3, 5, 6-triohloro-2-pyridinyl-oxyacetic acid and butoxy ethyl ester)
- Fusilade (fluazifop-p-butyl)
- Fusilade 4E (oxyl propanoate)
- Surflan (3, 5-dinitro-N, N-dipropylsulfanilamide)
Pesticides (active ingredients)
- Sevin (1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate)
- Malathion (S-[l, 2-dicarbethoxyethyl]-0, 0-dimethyldithiophosphate)
- Orthene (acephate or 0, S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate)
- Mecomec 2.5 (4 chloro, 2 methyl-phenoxy propionic acid)
- Diazinon-5OW (0, 0-diethyl-0-[2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4 pyrimidinyl]-phosphorothioate)
In addition, Chem Lawn Corporation treats 435,000 ft2 of turf, mostly in the Central Glade area, six times per year. Chem-Lawn applies the following chemicals to the "Priority 1" turf areas:
Ureaform base fertilizers
- 1.5 lbs. N/1000 ft2 (3 liquid and 3 dry applications annually)
- 0.44 lbs. P04/1000 ft2 (ammonium polyphosphates, 3 wet applications annually)
Herbicides
A. Broadleaf Weed Control (post-emergent, 3 applications annually)
- Banvil 45 (Dicamba)
- Turflon ( see above)
- Maintain CF 125 (growth retardant, chloryl slurenol methyl esters) These three chemicals are applied at a rate of 0.13 lbs. active ingredient/acre.
B. Pre-emergent Weed Control (2 applications annually early in the year)
Pre-Em (pendamethylin) - This is applied at a rate of 1.5 lbs. active ingredient/acre. Chem-Lawn also applies iron sulfate (chelating agent) twice annually at a rate of 0.1 lbs. active ingredient/1000 ft2.
The amounts of these various pesticides and herbicides applied to central campus areas should be documented in order to assess the significance of chemical usage. If significant amounts of these chemicals are being applied, then the extent of runoff of these chemicals either directly into the creek or into the storm drainage system due to irrigation or other means should be assessed. If this appears to be a problem, the water quality impacts should be further investigated. Alternatives to heavy chemical usage should also be evaluated. Implementation of an integrated pest management program could significantly reduce chemical usage. The areal application of various chemicals in North Berkeley and at LBL and other sites should be further investigated.
3. Continued evaluation and maintenance of sanitary sewers: Detailed exfiltration studies should be conducted in North Berkeley and on the UC campus to further investigate and evaluate sewage contamination in Strawberry Creek. The DOFM sanitary sewer evaluation and rehabilitation program should continue until problems are resolved. Televising and dye testing of sanitary sewer lines has proven to be a valuable tool in discovering specific problems. The storm sewer system is also in need of updated mapping and evaluation. Possible sewage exfiltration problems into the North Berkeley creek tunnel should be further investigated.
4. Control littering: An anti-litter program should be established to determine means of reducing trash and debris accumulation in the creek in North Berkeley.and on the central campus. This could include public information programs, provision of additional trash receptacles, and enforcement of existing ordinances or regulations. Litter control would help reduce nutrient loading and bacterial contamination as well as maintain capacity of the storm drain system.
5. Establish public education!mformation programs: Different programs should be initiated to educate the public and applicable UC and LBL maintenance/grounds personnel about their activities and subsequent water quality impacts. The general public needs to be informed of the effects of dumping materials into storm sewers and the home use of various chemicals. Property owners and residents along the North Fork in t-he city should especially be contacted. Grounds personnel should be knowledgeable about the impacts of applying various chemicals and should be properly trained and supervised. Likewise, maintenance personnel should be made aware of problems caused by dumping materials into catch basins or allowing them to run off into storm sewers.