The EPA is providing $200,000 for Mission Viejo, Calif., and the Santa Margarita Water District to upgrade the areas 30-year-old storm water system.

The system is known as the Oso Creek Barrier, and it will be upgraded for year-round production. The barrier is basically a damn with a diverter at the top for collecting runoff.

During storms, the barrier fills with mud and silt and stops working. The result is that a few days after a storm, contaminated water slows into the San Juan Creek. In addition, millions of gallons of recyclable water can be lost.

According to the Orange County Register, the funding from the EPA will pay for geotechnical work and engineering in order to reduce the problems with. The goal is also to help the city meet water quality standards set up by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board governing local watersheds. The upgrades should be done by fall of next year.

Dan Ferons, chief engineer with the Santa Margarita Water District, told The Orange County Register that the upgrade will allow the area to use local water, rather than imported water.

The barrier captures approximately 1 1/2 million gallons of water a day. The water is then recycled and used for irrigation.

The water district is also working with Trabuco Canyon Water District to install a similar system along the San Juan Creek to control runoff in other south county communities.

Source: The Orange County Register