REVIEW OF COMPTON CREEK WATERSHED PROJECT SO FAR…..
1. Why should we care about the quality of water in Compton Creek?
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In-stream plants and animals
Community amenity
Drains to ocean
Water is scarce in Los Angeles
2. If we want to improve water quality in Compton Creek by finding the sources of
pollution, how do we know where to look? Why?
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The watershed, because this defines the area that drains to the creek.
3. Name at least two reasons for poor water quality in Compton Creek? (Think about
the answer to question 2 and what is going on there)
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Urban sources of pollutants (industry, cars, urban trash)
Impervious surfaces prevent infiltration of stormwater and natural filtering through
soils
Storm drains that speed the water to the creek without a chance for infiltration or
cleansing through vegetation
4. What might be some specific pollutants/problems in Compton Creek? And there
sources?
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Industrial sources of metals in the watershed
Too many metals: Copper, Lead, Zinc
5. Given that: (a) industrial facilities that might release metals into storm water
runoff are required to have a permit, and (b) these permits require the facility to
follow procedures to prevent release of metals into stormwater….
What ideas do you have for addressing the continuing problem of too many metals in
Compton Creek?
 See if facilities are complying with the requirements
 See if all facilities have a permit that are supposed to
 Make the regulation stronger, i.e. require more prevention of discharge
 Look for other sources of metals aside from the facilities
GAME – Pictionary or Charades Words:
Infiltration
Watershed
Water Balance Equation
Pollutants
Storm drain
Trash
Evapotranspiration
Benthic macroinvertebrates
Copper toxicity
Runoff
Impervious surface
Pervious surface
Groundwater
Compton Creek