The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented a “2010 Environmental Achievement Award” to the City of Hermosa Beach for its contribution to protect the beaches from pollutants and save water, in the recently completed overhaul of upper Pier Avenue.
Officials of the EPA’s Region 9, Pacific Southwest Division presented the award to Hermosa Beach as part of the agency’s 40th Anniversary celebration at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles today.
The city was the winner in the category of “low-impact development for water quality.” The EPA singled out Hermosa for recognition because the Pier Avenue Beautification Project includes the “sustainable use of low-impact development techniques” and serves as a model for conserving “scarce water supplies by replenishing groundwater and capturing dry and wet weather urban runoff for beneficial use.”
“We are thrilled the EPA recognized the city for protecting the ocean from pollutants by capturing and treating storm water along Pier Avenue and for conserving water by recycling the treated storm water for irrigation,” Mayor Peter Tucker said. “The City of Hermosa Beach is committed to protecting the environment, and the Pier Avenue Beautification Project is a shining example of how a city can create a cleaner and greener community for us all.”
The city used federal stimulus funds, state grants and restricted bond money to finance the $4.3 million project that built wider sidewalks, added a palm-planted median to the avenue, and added new lighting and wide pedestrian “bulb outs” at some intersections.
As part of the project, the city installed an innovative infiltration-storm drain system that captures trash, storm water and urban runoff from a 36-acre drainage area before it can pollute ocean waters.
The system treats the water and infiltrates it for deep root irrigation and recycles it for reuse in irrigation along the avenue. The storm drain component is only activated when the infiltration systems reach capacity.
At a ribbon cutting ceremony for the project in October, officials of the EPA, the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission and the West Basin Municipal Water District showed up to praise the water system.
John Kemmerer, associate director of the EPA’s regional water division, told the gathering that the storm water collection system was one of about four in the state that can be looked upon as models for cities nationwide.
“This is a great day for Hermosa,” Mayor Pete Tucker said. ER
