Staff from the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) and the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Watershed Protection Program detected a source of pollution in the Rainbow Creek area August 3, 2012, and is monitoring cleanup. DPW first alerted AWM that it had detected high nitrate levels during water monitoring. AWM inspectors then coordinated with DPW staff to conduct surveillance of the area and determined a large nursery was the likely source. AWM issued violations to the nursery for allowing irrigation water to discharge, trash to accumulate in and near a creek and for managing soil mixtures in a way that could result in discharge. The nursery submitted a corrective action plan and County staff will continue to monitor the situation until compliance is complete. Coordinated department inspections are among the ways the County works to ensure our waterways are protected.
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