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Ocean Testing Gets Temporary Funds

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminated all state funding for beach water quality monitoring in September. But now, the state water board says it will provide money to continue the testing. KPBS Env

Ocean Testing Gets Temporary Funds

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminated all state funding for beach water quality monitoring in September. But now, the state water board says it will provide money to continue the testing. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The Governor's veto put an end to testing of ocean water in San Diego and 14 other coastal counties.

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Bruce Reznik is the Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper.

He says San Diego County will receive $300,000 to restore its coastal water-testing program for next year.

Reznik says the key is protecting the health of people using the beaches.

Reznik: Making sure that we're identifying beaches where there's sewage contamination or high bacterial levels for either postings or beach closings.

The testing of the ocean alerts swimmers when it's not safe to swim.

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Reznik says the testing has also helped to point out where there are pollution hot spots.

Since 1999 the County Department of Environmental Health has received state funds to monitor the water between San Onofre and the U.S. / Mexico border.  

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.