OCTA approved nearly $2.7 million to improve water quality in Orange County cities from San Clemente to Stanton.
The funds come from OC Go, also known as Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. OC Go includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the County of Orange for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation.
“This is a great way to help protect Orange County’s natural resources while continuing to improve the way our residents move safely and efficiently,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “Making these funds available to help protect our water quality demonstrates OCTA’s commitment to delivering on promises made through Measure M.”
OCTA approved $2.7 million for 10 projects focused on removing litter and debris from roads before they reach waterways and the ocean. These projects include purchasing or upgrading screens, filters and inserts for catch basins, as well as other devices designed to remove pollutants.
The cities that received funding include: Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo (2 projects), Orange, Stanton and San Clemente.
Since the program’s inception in 2011, OCTA has approved funding for 199 projects totaling more than $30 million. It is estimated that more than 33 million gallons of trash has since been captured as a result of the installation of these devices.
For more information on the environmental water quality program, visit here.