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L.A. Waterkeeper inspectors keep their minds on the gutters

A Kramer Metals employee works at the South L.A. facility. Concerned over what it called excessive levels of copper, zinc and lead running off Kramer's property, L.A. Waterkeeper eventually sued to force the company to either treat the water it was releasing or eliminate its discharges.

A Kramer Metals employee works at the South L.A. facility. Concerned over what it called excessive levels of copper, zinc and lead running off Kramer’s property, L.A. Waterkeeper eventually sued to force the company to either treat the water it was releasing or eliminate its discharges.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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The environmental group’s DrainWatch program sends out Storm Water Assessment Teams to collect samples in an effort to force polluters to clean up. Their work has a black-ops feel. As they bottle up dirty water, investigators keep a low profile, look over their shoulders and eye passersby with suspicion -- and not without reason. Though they collect the samples from public sidewalks or streets, they’ve been chased off and even threatened by hostile property owners.

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