ADVISORY/ Beach Cleanup Goes ''Undercover;'' Los Angeles County Cleans Dirty Stormwater Underground.

News Editors

ADVISORY...for Thursday (May 18)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Los Angeles County's Largest Systemic Program in Six Years

to Help Keep Beaches Clean Begins in Time for Memorial Day

WHAT:  Los Angeles County Department of Public Works announces
       rollout of five coastal storm drain low-flow diversion projects
       -- located in the cities of Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Santa
       Monica and Los Angeles -- that collectively have the capacity
       to divert more than 1 million gallons of polluted water from
       entering the Pacific Ocean per week. Led by completion of the
       Alamitos Bay diversion system (Long Beach) in time for
       Memorial Day beach-goers, the remaining four diversion
       projects will be finished mid-June. The non-invasive diversion
       systems do not mar beach aesthetics while diverting low-flow
       runoff from storm drains to the sewer system for treatment in
       dry weather. In support of this systemic improvement, the
       County will announce a partnership with the American Lung
       Association of Los Angeles County to raise public awareness
       about the serious impacts of seemingly insignificant types of
       litter, such as the 9.6 million cigarette butts tossed on the
       ground annually throughout the County.

WHY:   On May 18, find out -- What does the completion of the five
       diversion systems mean to Los Angeles County residents and
       businesses? From a tech perspective, how will the diversion
       system help reduce beach pollution beginning summer 2000? How
       much will it cost to maintain the five diversions annually?

WHEN:  Thursday, May 18
       10 a.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Pump Station
       5425 E. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach (South of the 405)

WHO:   Los Angeles County and City Officials
       Heal the Bay
       American Lung Association of Los Angeles County

FIRST-HAND SITINGS: Boat tours of Alamitos Bay and above ground storm
                    drain discharge point emptying into Bay; tours of
                    pump station where diversion pipes lead to sewage
                    system; uncovering of actual diverted storm drain
                    water; presentation of diversion schematic;
                    dissemination of educational materials to
                    beach-goers.

BACKGROUND: In 1972, the Congressional Clean Water Act was passed to
            protect our rights when pollution permits don't result in
            water quality protection; In 1998, the Hyperion Treatment
            Plant began treating 370 million gallons of wastewater
            per day discharged into Santa Monica Bay.