Viruses Found in Ocean Water

As a student of medicine and public health, I applaud your coverage of pollution in ocean water throughout Southern California (“New Tests Show Human Viruses in Beach Waters,” Sept. 5). Beach contamination with fecal and other urban runoff not only poses a current risk to human health, it has long-term implications for coastal ecosystems and wildlife. Urban runoff--mixed waste containing organic and inorganic materials--flows directly into the Pacific Ocean without any treatment. Public health dollars should be directed “upstream,” literally and figuratively, to combat urban waste production and institute adequate detoxification and disposal.

The accompanying article about septic-tank use in Malibu emphasizes the need for cooperation between communities in avoiding pollution. Nationwide, 25% of septic tanks function improperly, with serious environmental consequences including ground-water contamination, which extend beyond municipal borders. Even if Malibu does not join a municipal sewer system, alternative disposal methods, including aerobic systems, could be implemented. There must be compromise between the local needs of the community and our public resources.

URMIMALA SARKAR

Oakland

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The virus-hunting molecular biologist Rachel Noble notes that the waters at the mouth of Ballona Creek have among the worst viral concentrations between Santa Barbara and the Mexican border. Your story describes the likely source of the contamination to be runoff from sections of the creek’s watershed that have been profoundly urbanized. Unmentioned is the proposed Playa Vista development near the mouth of Ballona Creek, the largest single development proposal in the history of Los Angeles County.

I’m not certain why The Times can’t seem to connect the dots on this one, but it’s easy for most of us: The single best thing that would improve the ocean water quality offshore from Ballona Creek would be to cancel Playa Vista entirely, acquire the property and restore the Ballona Wetlands as the water-filtering mechanisms nature designed them to be. If you want clean waters off Ballona Creek, then save La Ballona!

JOHN CLOUD

Santa Barbara