The wet winter in California brought good news for drinking water supply, but it had a negative impact on ocean quality in the state. According to Heal the Bay’s Annual Beach Report Card, only two beaches made it to the nonprofit environmental group’s “Honor Roll” this year, compared to 51 sites last year. One of these beaches is near Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego, and the other is Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County.
However, Southern California also had three beaches on Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list, which identifies the state’s 10 most polluted beaches. Santa Monica Pier tied with a beach in Baja California as the most polluted beach, followed by Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey and Poche Beach in Dana Point and San Clemente.
The report reveals that 95% of California’s beaches received As and Bs during dry summer days, compared to 94% last year. However, during rainy conditions, only 56% of the beaches received As and Bs, compared to the usual 60%. The decrease in water quality is largely attributed to runoff and sewage problems caused by the significant increase in rainfall.
Regulators are working on addressing pollution problems in each area, as they suspect different sources of high bacteria levels. Luke Ginger, a water quality scientist at Heal the Bay, mentioned that the summer season rates are good and often better than the previous year, with most beaches being clean most of the time.
The report assigns letter grades (A to F) to 500 California beaches based on routine testing for fecal matter bacteria. Despite the drop in water quality during heavy rainfall, Ginger explains that there are measures regulators can take to reduce pollution and contamination risks during extreme weather events. He also emphasizes the importance of individuals taking steps to stay safe before heading to their favorite local beach or swimming hole, including checking the water quality.
Ginger also mentions that heavy rainfall can exacerbate the problem of sewage leaks, which are already a concern in Southern California. He calls on local governments to invest more in sewage infrastructure, inspection, and repair to prevent major spills.
The article highlights the efforts made by Santa Monica and San Clemente to improve water quality by installing bird netting to deter birds, as they contribute to contamination. However, challenges remain for locations like Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, where water quality has not significantly improved despite various efforts. The county is now focusing on adding bird deterrents and addressing the many storm drain outfalls in the area.
In conclusion, while the wet winter had positive effects on California’s drinking water supply, it had negative impacts on ocean quality. The report emphasizes the need for continued efforts to address pollution and contamination risks, with a focus on sewage infrastructure, runoff management, and individual responsibility for preventing trash and contaminants from entering the water.
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