High Marks from Pumpout & Dump Station Monitoring Program

Southern California Clean Vessel Act Pumpout & Dump Station Monitoring Program

Recent surveys were conducted on the following Public Docks on Sep 27, 2022.


Fernando Street Pumpout Station

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 94.44

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 24.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 10.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • The unit is working great.
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


15th Street Pumpout Station (Near Unit)

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 94.44

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 23.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 10.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • Unit works really great!
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


15th Street Pumpout Station (Far Unit)

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 97.22

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 22.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 9.2

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • Unit is working great! Thank you for meeting me George – always a pleasure!
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


Balboa Yacht Basin Pumpout Station

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 83.33

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 22.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 10.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • The unit is working great! However, I recommend replacing the nozzle as it is folding in on itself. Thank you.
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


Balboa Fun Zone Pumpout Station

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 91.67

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 25.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 15.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • The unit is working great!
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.

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This week I’d like to recognize critical, often unsung members of our City team who perform a vital service during rainstorms: the Utilities Department crews that pump storm water and operate the tide valves on Balboa Island and the Peninsula.

The valves, which were built in the 1970s to replace a system from the early 1900s, are necessary to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. They are manually operated, and need to be closed during high tides to prevent seawater from flooding the streets. Once the tide recedes, crews reopen the valves — nearly 90 in total — to allow water to flow from streets to the bay.

In some ways, on some days, we all live trashy lives.

Even an inadvertently dropped gum wrapper via the forces of gravity, wind, and water runoff finds itself in company with all manner of discarded detritus heading to our oceans and beaches.

Trash is strictly a human byproduct. Just walk Newport’s sands after a crowded summer day. Or stand by the outflow of the Santa Ana River, or the entrance to the Upper Bay estuary post-storm to witness the “flood” of trash tangled in broken foliage washed downstream, to either float offshore, rest on our beaches or become locked in the life-giving vegetation of the Back Bay.

In some ways, on some days, we all live trashy lives.

Even an inadvertently dropped gum wrapper via the forces of gravity, wind, and water runoff finds itself in company with all manner of discarded detritus heading to our oceans and beaches.

Trash is strictly a human byproduct. Just walk Newport’s sands after a crowded summer day. Or stand by the outflow of the Santa Ana River, or the entrance to the Upper Bay estuary post-storm to witness the “flood” of trash tangled in broken foliage washed downstream, to either float offshore, rest on our beaches or become locked in the life-giving vegetation of the Back Bay.