The Port of Los Angeles will need to clean up widespread water contamination in the city’s harbor by shoring up sewage treatment operations, according to a settlement approved by a federal judge. The settlement was the result of a lawsuit filed by the organization Environment California last summer accusing the port of violating the Clean Water Act by unleashing toxic pollutants into the San Pedro Bay. The group maintained that the port had conducted more than 2,000 illegal wastewater discharges in the previous five years alone — releases that routinely surpassed limits on fecal bacteria, copper and other contaminants. The settlement approved on Tuesday tasks the port with improving its management and treatment of stormwater and groundwater, through provisions requiring the elimination of fecal bacteria from the groundwater. 

Related articles:

• Environment California: News release: Judge approves Environment California settlement for Clean Water Act lawsuit over Port of Los Angeles pollution
• National Environmental Law Center: Blog: Environment California v. Port of Los Angeles