In conjunction with the Long Beach Office of Sustainability and the Water Department, the City of Long Beach will soon be implementing a pilot graywater program through which a small number of households from each district will be selected to undertake approved graywater systems.
Spearheaded by Seventh District Councilmember James Johnson and passed in March, the “Laundry to Landscape” Graywater System programs take graywater discharged from laundry machines and reuses it to water gardens and landscapes rather than being discharged. Second District Councilmember Suja Lowenthal and Fourth District Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell have also backed the program.
“Efforts like this program can help us fundamentally change the way we look at water as something precious to be conserved and reused when possible, as opposed to something cheap that can be wasted or disposed of,” Johnson said in a press release on his website.
Graywater is classified as dirtier than potable, or “white,” water but cleaner than sewage water or “black” water. In previous years, state law discouraged the use of graywater. However, in August 2009, the State Plumbing Code was revised to encourage its use throughout the state.
In addition, Senate Bill 1258 directed the Department of Housing and Community Development to devise new graywater standards for residential properties.
“It is estimated that by using indoor water for landscapes, overall potable water use could decline by 14 to 40 percent,” Johnson disclosed in the program proposal. “Such savings would represent a fundamental shift in Long Beach’s demand and continue our reputation as a national leader in conservation.”
The program would utilize a particular type of graywater system that does not require a local permit and works by means of the clothes washer systems in single-family residencies only. Although the application process is still being finalized, residents will soon have the chance to enter the contest in hopes of being selected to receive the graywater system professionally installed for their property.
The water department will provide funding and installation is being completed by the Office of Sustainability Green Job Trainees with the guidance of a professional plumber.
According to Sustainability Coordinator Larry Rich, four winners will be selected from each district and upon passing an initial evaluation of their property against 12 graywater conditions, will receive the system by July or August. The system will cost an average of about $750.
“This is specially made for just the water coming from a washing machine to the backyard,” Rich said. “It wouldn’t be used to water lawns, just trees or shrubs.”
The program will allow the City to gather vital information to assess the amount of water conservation and most efficient use of graywater.
Rich encourages people to take part in the experience, as it will provide the City with a first-hand experience on how the systems work.
“Before the City promotes wide-scale use, we want to be involved in the process, how they work and what might be some of the issues,” Rich said.
Residents interested in learning more about the program and other sustainability efforts may visit sustainablelb.com or directly email Rich at larry.rich@longbeach.gov.

CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune Dean Fazio (right), a former Signal Hill employee who served in the water department, addresses the City Council on May 3. Also pictured, from left: Mayor Larry Forester, Councilmember Michael Noll, Councilmember Ellen Ward and City Clerk Kathee Pacheco.

By CJ Dablo
Staff Writer

The City of Signal Hill continues to defend the quality of its water and the reputation of its water department, and an independent engineering firm confirmed at Tuesday evening’s Council meeting that the water systems are safe.
The reputation of the water department is at stake. Criticizing management practices concerning water safety and questioning the circumstances of his own termination, a former employee from the city’s water department made the fight even more public when he appeared before the Council on May 3.
“Anyone who slanders me or makes any false statements or damages my reputation as a water-treatment or water-distribution operator is going to be held accountable,” said Fazio Tuesday night.
Earlier this year, Fazio, a former employee who served as a water-systems operator for the City of Signal Hill, sent an email to the City to voice concerns about water safety and the safety of the employees, according to City Manager Ken Farfsing, who also confirmed that Fazio had been employed on a probationary term.
Fazio’s emailed correspondence was sent to a number of other places, including the city administration and an unknown number of Signal Hill residents, some of whom received a printout on their doorsteps that included a copy of that letter.
On Tuesday night, Fazio introduced himself to the Council as a “whistle-blower.” He said that earlier that afternoon he had passed a lie detector test in San Bernardino that monitored him as he read a statement. He asked to read that same statement into the City Council record that night.
Although City Attorney David Aleshire had cautioned Dean Fazio a few times against revealing the details of his personnel record into the public record, Fazio asked to continue to read his statement. The statement criticized his supervisor and other employees at the water department.
That evening, Fazio provided more details on several of the complaints he had already lodged against the people in his former department. One of the concerns involved maintenance practices that Fazio said endangered the safety of employees. Fazio also alleged that a senior water-systems operator told him to falsify water-quality records. (Fazio said in his earlier letter that he did not obey the order). But Fazio also suggested Tuesday night that there was more wrongdoing in his department. Fazio further alluded to improprieties surrounding overtime pay that was collected by other employees, adding to the list of allegations he had outlined in his earlier letter.
Fazio said he received a poor performance evaluation and was eventually terminated after he filed a complaint with Cal/OSHA, the State’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
Fazio’s list of concerns did not go unnoticed. The City hired Tetra Tech Inc., an independent engineering firm, to address the former employee’s allegations, said Farfsing. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) had already determined that the water had been in compliance with federal and state standards for drinking water, according to the letter they issued in April to the department of public works.
Don Roberson, an operations specialist with Tetra Tech Inc., said at Tuesday’s Council meeting that over the course of two weeks, the company reviewed the water department records, talked to water department supervisors and employees, and attempted to interview Fazio. A more comprehensive report of their findings will be available soon, but a summary report is available online at cityofsignalhill.org.
Roberson confirmed that the city’s water department is in compliance with the drinking water standards established by federal and state authorities.
“The water system meets and in most cases exceeds the [CDPH] requirement for water quality monitoring at the plant and in the distribution system,” concluded Roberson. “And, based on the findings and observations, we found no evidence that the system integrity or water quality has been or is in jeopardy of being in violation.”
In reply to direct questions posed by both Councilmembers Michael Noll and Ed Wilson, Roberson also confirmed that the water is safe to drink.
Roberson also spoke to a specific concern about the presence of older water in the water system in the Burnett area, but that issue was already addressed by the CDPH when they amended the permit to require additional testing in that area.
“So the water is basically is safe,” said Roberson, “and the health department– even though the residuals may be a bit low in the Burnett area where that water has aged a bit– they are satisfied with the results.”
Councilmember Ellen Ward asked Roberson if there were any recommendations for improvements. Roberson recommended refinements in daily reports and updating policies and procedures on a yearly basis.
He has never been hired to consult for Signal Hill in the past, Roberson said.
Farfsing said that he had felt it was still important for the independent consulting firm to evaluate the concerns even though the CDPH had already conducted an inspection of the water department.
“So I’m one who will not shortchange the employee safety,” said Farfsing. “That just makes no sense to me to do that. I’m not going to be one to shortchange public safety in the terms of the health and safety of our community.”
Other councilmembers said there were concerns that largely had to do with personnel issues, which are usually kept confidential.
“Our hands are tied in what we can say because it’s a personnel matter and we would be subject to a lawsuit,” said Noll, who indicated that the Council already did investigate Fazio’s initial complaint.
Aleshire acknowledged that there were allegations that employees lied.
“There [are] always two sides to every story,” the city attorney said.
A few residents who were aware of Fazio’s allegations had voiced their opinions on the issues raised by him before Fazio addressed Council.
“Any time there is a case of management retaliation in an organization– whether public or private– it sends a chilling effect on to all employees in that organization,” said Signal Hill resident Maria Harris. “And it creates a lot of problems for them, and it creates a lot of problems for management.” Harris asked for another independent party to investigate Fazio’s claim that his supervisors retaliated against him when he voiced concerns.
Bill Yochum, another Signal Hill resident, criticized the allegations against the water department.
“People are being told to be afraid of the quality of the water they’re drinking,” Yochum said. “And they’re being told who to blame for it: obviously, the water department management, the city manager, the city council, anybody else you can think of.”
Yochum called the accusations a “political maneuver” that “is not working in Signal Hill.”
Mayor Larry Forester voiced a personal interest in the water quality.
“I must tell you, people, I’m living with HIV and AIDS,” said Forester. “If anybody has a problem with anything with water, it’s me because my immune system is extremely compromised. Yet I have no problem drinking Signal Hill water.”
Aleshire said he would review the concerns raised by Fazio. The city attorney also said he would discuss the matter with Farfsing.
The City has budgeted $15,000 to cover the cost of seeking an independent consulting firm, but the final bill had not yet been presented to the City, according to Deputy City Manager Charlie Honeycutt.

Other City Council highlights:
Medical marijuana It’s official– in a second-reading vote, the City Council approved a zoning ordinance amendment that prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries in Signal Hill’s commercial and industrial districts. Dispensaries will also be prohibited as a home occupation.

Water Replenishment District lawsuit Cerritos, Downey and Signal Hill recently won a joint lawsuit against the Water Replenishment District (WRD). WRD had not complied with Prop. 218. The proposition from 1996 required WRD fees to be approved through a public hearing process, according to Aleshire. The city attorney also said that the WRD may appeal the case, and Aleshire will be assessing the economic impact to the City, including the cost of legal fees. The case is one of several lawsuits that Signal Hill filed against the WRD over the last few years, Aleshire confirmed.

Long Beach Pride The City issued a proclamation to honor the Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride organization as they celebrate their 28th anniversary festival and parade.

New traffic signal The City Council voted to authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District to install a traffic signal at Cherry Avenue and 20th Street. According to a City report, the City secured a $302,500 grant to cover the traffic signal’s construction.

Reservoir Park A presentation on Reservoir Park highlighted new innovations at the park, which celebrated its grand opening last month. The park features several exercise stations geared toward physical fitness for seniors. The park also has drought-resistant plants in its landscaping design.

The next Signal Hill Council meeting will take place at City Hall Tuesday, May 17 at 7pm.

Located on the south side of Reservoir Park, the new sustainable garden features a wildflower meadow, native plants and drought-tolerant shrubs.

The City of Signal Hill Community Services Department announces the completion of the renovation project at Reservoir Park on Gundry Avenue during a dedication ceremony Wednesday, April 27 at the park. With residents, visitors and members of the City Council and the Parks & Recreation Commission in attendance, the event included a dedication of the sustainable landscape garden and demonstrations of workout programs using the new exercise equipment.
Mayor Larry Forester described the improvements to Reservoir Park including new landscaping to demonstrate sustainable water usage. Located on the south side of the park, the new garden features a wildflower meadow, native plants and drought-tolerant shrubs. Paths of permeable concrete wind throughout, with decorative rocks and benches made of recycled material for seating. Infiltration swales collect rainwater in a gully where cobble and gravel create a drainage “sink” that allows the water to stay on-site rather than ending up in the storm drain. Bio-swales add grasses to the infiltration swales to clean the storm water as it flows through.
As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to provide active opportunities, four new pieces of outdoor fitness equipment for adults have been installed. The three-sided stations are ADA-compatible and promote functional fitness with exercises that enhance strength and flexibility.
The project was completely funded by grants from Proposition 40, which was passed by voters in March 2002.

Wrigley resident Annie Greenfeld with her freshly picked beets at her retirement home in the desert

This year’s sale marks the 39th year the Long Beach City College Horticulture Club is offering various plants at affordable prices

Long Beach City College’s 39th annual Horticulture Club plant sale is taking place now through Saturday, April 23 from 9am to 6pm at the horticulture gardens located on the Pacific Coast Campus, 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway. 
Attendees will find thousands of carefully raised plants from around the world, including drought-tolerant roses, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, tropical plants, cacti, succulents, bedding plants and more at affordable prices. The college’s Sheet Metal and Carpentry Clubs will be selling their creations as well.
All proceeds go toward the horticulture program, student scholarships, and field trips, as well as community projects and donations. Free parking will be available in all lots. Quantities are limited, so those interested are encouraged to arrive early for best selection.

Earth Day is upon us once again. I remember first celebrating it when I was in middle school, when it was a “new concept.” Today it has grown in magnitude and scope, from Earth-friendly events and celebrations, to full-blown lines of organic and eco-friendly products. Once hard to find, eco-friendly goods are now everywhere.
Organic apparel costs a premium in today’s marketplace. “Why so?” you may ask. Cultivating organic cotton requires more hand labor: weeding and cultivating, instead of using insecticides and pesticides; utilizing “good” insects, like lady bugs and preying mantises to eat the cotton pests; using manure and natural compost instead of chemical fertilizer. Cover crops are grown to choke out weeds, and crop-rotation methods are also used to regenerate the land.
When cotton crops are done, they are allowed to die naturally, instead of being killed off with defoliants. Once cotton is picked, it is taken to the cotton gin. The machinery needs to be scrupulously cleaned from other non-organic cottons, which leave behind residue in the machinery. Federal law requires this.
By producing crops in this way, the environment is cleaner, as there is no pesticide drift from chemical spraying, to be ingested by people or animals in the area. In a pesticide-laden field, insects are exposed to the pesticides; birds eat the infected insects, or make nests in the pesticide-laden grass. These “edge species” are then hunted by man, and ingested by humans in the food chain. Cottonseed is used in food preparation as well, and the insecticides and pesticides are not removed in the ginning process, which allows them to remain in the cottonseed ingested by humans.
That being said, many are seeking out organic products to eat and to wear. Organic T-shirts are extremely popular. Grown in pesticide-free environments, they are soft and usually available in softer-hue palettes, reflecting the sky/earth colors and nature’s shades of green. Bamboo is one of the newer sustainable fabrics, creating a silky-to-the-touch feel against the body.
With the eco-conscious public looking for alternatives to plastic/paper grocery bags in the marketplace, the popularity of reuseable market bags has exploded. Not only reuseable, which is eco-friendly in itself, these bags now come in organic cotton and canvas and are also available made from recycled plastic water bottles. Surprisingly, even jackets are being made out of those same water bottles!
When making your next apparel or promotional item purchase, stop and consider eco-friendly or organic products– they say you care. Sustainable = Responsible.

More Information
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