Category: Water Quality

The Ocean covers 97 percent of the Earth. That’s 321,003,271 cubic miles according to NOAA. Thus, in celebrating Earth Day, it makes sense to acknowledge not only land, but the sea as well.

Here are three ways to show your love for our oceans, as we strive to keep them pollution-free. 

Use less plastic

Plastic is the biggest polluter of the world’s oceans. In fact, experts calculate that 275 million metric tons of plastic waste is floating out there. In the central North Pacific Ocean, there is an area of trash nicknamed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Living up to its name, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is as wide as the state of Texas. This patch is not the only plastic trash vortex in the ocean; it is only the largest. In fact, there are five in total across the globe.

Unlike other pollutants, the problem with plastic is that it is non-biodegradable and could continue to float around up to 1,000 years longer than other forms of garbage.

So, skip the straw when you have a beverage. Recycle plastic items and opt for more compostable containers whenever possible.

Pitch in and clean up

Once the trash is out there, every little bit of litter can potentially harm marine life and damage coastal habitats. A number of groups work to clean the beaches up and down the California coast. Find a local cleanup event, bring friends and family to your favorite stretch of sand and commit to cleaning it up. Find a beach cleanup through the city of San Mateo or connect with the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

Eat safe and sustainable seafood

One-third of fish populations around the globe are being depleted due to loss of habitat, growing demand for seafood and unsustainable fishing practices. There are ways to eat healthy and help the environment by reducing consumer demand for overexploited species. Search for sustainable seafood options and learn more from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.

When people take the time to understand the vital role oceans play in our lives, taking small steps to save them become urgently important. These eco-friendly efforts can have a big impact on the Ocean and the planet as a whole, making every day Earth Day.

Single-use plastic bags, a major ocean pollutant, are on the ballot in California Propositions 67 and 65.  In San Mateo County, the three-year old plastic bag ban has had a significant positive environmental impact, and so it is important to understand how these two propositions will affect our county and state.

Since 2013, San Mateo County’s Reusable Bag Ordinance has helped reduce plastic bag waste. The 2014 San Mateo County Bag Report shows a 162% increase in people bringing their own bags to the store. Moreover, stores bought 84% fewer bags for their customers — a reduction of 53 million bags.

Then in 2014 Californians voted to pass the nation’s first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags (SB 270).  However, this statewide ban was put on hold pending a vote on Proposition 67. 

Proposition 67 is about whether the ban should continue or not.  A “no” vote on Proposition 67 ends the plastic bag ban and allows stores to use plastic bags for free unless local governments (like San Mateo County) charge a fee. Voting “yes” upholds the ban; stores could not offer plastic bags and would be required to charge at least 10 cents for any other type of bag they provide customers.

Alas, voting becomes slightly more confusing because there is a second proposition dealing with single-use plastic bags, Proposition 65.  Proposition 65 decides where the money from purchasing bags should go.  Voting “yes” on Proposition 65 redirects customer’s payment for bags—that dime or more per bag—from stores to a new state fund to support environmental programs. A “no” vote would allow revenue to go toward any purpose.

If both measures pass, the one with more votes would supersede. Thus, Proposition 65 will only go into effect if it has more votes than Proposition 67 and only if Proposition 67 also passes.

To avoid legal confusion between the two somewhat competing propositions, Proposition 67 supporters, including the Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle recommend voting “yes” on 67 and “no” on 65.

That said, San Mateo County will not be significantly affected since our local plastic bag ban will remain in effect.  However, surrounding municipalities and counties without a local ban will be influenced by the passing or failing of Proposition 67 and 65, which could affect the environment statewide.

Pillar Point Marsh in Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

What we do on land affects the water that sustains all life within San Mateo County. We all live in a watershed, or an area of land that stormwater flows through or across on its way to a larger body of water. These watersheds carry everything that enters the storm drains–including rain, litter, used oil, and even dog poop–directly into our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, or the Pacific Ocean without being filtered or cleaned. Since we all live in and share our watersheds, it is important to know a thing or two about how they work and what we can do to protect them!

In San Mateo County, we have 34 watersheds that are each home to various habitats that sustain plant, animal, and human life. Depending on which side of the Santa Cruz Mountains you live on, your watershed will eventually carry stormwater down to its final destination at the Pacific Ocean or the San Francisco Bay.

On the bayside, many watersheds discharge to the San Francisco Bay, with the larger ones draining into San Mateo Creek, Colma Creek, and San Francisquito Creek. These bayside watersheds host a variety of unique ecosystems that play an important role in filtering out pollutants from reaching the Bay, reducing flooding, and providing a home to endangered species like the San Francisco Garter Snake and the California Red-Legged Frog. Unfortunately, our bayside watersheds are increasingly threatened by urbanization which has led to increased runoff and pollutants. San Francisquito Creek, which supports Steelhead Trout that swim upstream to mate, is now listed by State regulatory agencies as an impaired watershed due to extreme degradation of the fish habitat. Moreover, San Mateo Creek was also designated as an impaired watershed for the presence of diazinon, a harmful pesticide that was used heavily by golf courses and has since been banned. As a result of these challenges, our program has partnered with residents and home improvement stores to promote education about many watershed-friendly topics, including the harmful impacts of pesticides and tips for proper use and disposal of garden chemicals.

On the west, San Mateo County’s Pacific coastline is one of the nation’s last remaining accessible, rural coastlines near a major metropolitan area. Scientists have designated the area a biodiversity hotspot, or an area that is rich in native plant and animal life, yet it remains impacted by urban development. Some of the major watersheds that lead to the Pacific Ocean include those draining to San Pedro Creek, Pilarcitos Creek, San Gregorio Creek, and Pescadero-Butano Creeks. Protected areas such as the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve have ensured San Mateo County can maintain the delicate balance of some of the most prized tide pools in the state and home to a variety of aquatic life including sea urchins, starfish, harbor seals, and red octopi. Denniston Creek runs through the Reserve and drains to Pacific Ocean, supporting Pillar Point Marsh, which is one of the last remaining salt marshes in the area and provides nesting and feeding areas for many animals.

Knowing and protecting our watersheds is how we can preserve the incredible diversity of life in our small but beautiful San Mateo County. By taking daily steps to prevent pollutants from entering into our storm drains and then flowing into creeks, the Bay, or ocean, you can help to ensure that our watersheds remain a healthy home for all of us!

Want to know more about what you can do to protect our San Mateo County watersheds?  Click here for more information or visit Oakland Museum’s watershed finders: (1) Upper Peninsula Watershed Finder and (2) Lower Peninsula Watershed Finder.

By Megan Kang

Bacteria from unattended dog waste contaminates local beaches

Sometimes being at the top is the last place you want to be. San Mateo County learned that lesson recently when a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that our local beaches have the second highest level of bacteria in California. One of the suspects? Your pooch. Or more specifically, your pooch’s poop.

Unsightly and Unsafe

We all know how unpleasant it is to mistakenly step in a pile of dog waste that has been left behind on the sidewalk. That unattended pile of poop also poses a threat to our waterways. Research has shown that dog waste from residential neighborhoods—miles away from the coast—is causing the amount of bacteria in waterways and the ocean to spike. 

Pet waste contains a host of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens, which migrate through storm drains to local rivers, the bay, and the ocean. High levels of bacteria make the water unsafe for swimming and hazardous to the fish and wildlife that rely on the waterways for food and shelter.

Biodegrade or Bust

Many people assume their dog’s waste will eventually biodegrade. But decaying poop that makes its way into the bay actually eats up oxygen and releases ammonia, which can disturb the underwater ecosystem and damage the health of fish and marine life.

And while no one dog is to blame, the more dog waste that’s left behind the more serious the problem becomes. “When one dog owner leaves waste behind it isn’t a big deal,” says Matt Fabry of the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program. “However, if half of all San Mateo County dog owners are leaving waste behind, it becomes a big deal. Bacteria from dog waste are impacting harbor seals right here in San Mateo County.”

What You Can Do 

Always carry a bag with you on walks and pick up after your pet. Just be sure to dispose of the bag in the trash. Dog waste left in bags on the street also washes into storm drains. Dog owners in need of bags can email info@flowstobay.org for more information.

Free Dog Bag Dispenser Giveaway!

Carry your doggie bags in style. San Mateo County is giving residents a free dog bag dispenser with carabiner for easy clipping onto a leash or belt loop. Available to San Mateo County residents only, while supplies last. Email info@flowstobay.org. 

A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), called “Testing the Waters,” compares the safety of beaches around the U.S. The results for California beaches, especially in our area don’t look very good. The reasons why aren’t all bad; but giving the story a happy ending will take all of us working together.  

California has more public coastline than most of the country, because we actively protect public access. But we also enjoy homes near the coast and the Bay shoreline, which bring sewer lines, septic systems, and domestic animals into the area upstream of our beaches. While all of these are sources of potentially harmful bacteria, it is primarily stormwater runoff that carries these bacteria directly to our creeks and beaches.  As indicated in NRDC’s report, “Stormwater runoff is the most frequently identified source of beach closings and advisory days.”  The report also states, “More than 80 percent of closings and advisories were issued because bacteria levels in beachwater exceeded public health standards, indicating the potential presence of human or animal waste in the water.”

For local government, protecting the public means regularly monitoring water quality where people swim and or come in contact with water, and letting them know the results before they get wet. The San Mateo County Health Department routinely tests for bacteria at 38 popular recreational areas, and posts warnings whenever visitors should know to pick another beach for their fun in the sun that day. Sites with problems are re-tested, and signs removed as soon as conditions are safe again.

While rigorous testing is important, it is not enough. We need to retrofit our urban drainage systems to minimize stormwater volume carrying pollutants to our creeks and shorelines.  Our decades-old storm drainage systems were designed and built for flood control and are very efficient at carrying large amounts of runoff from all of our impervious surfaces quickly to creeks, the Bay, and ocean, without any treatment.  As indicated in my recent Letter to the Editor, I agree with NRDC that we need to incorporate “green infrastructure” such as pervious pavement, green roofs, and “rain gardens” to help slow down and absorb rainwater.  Although widespread change will take time, resources, and significant public support, we already have great examples in San Mateo County where green infrastructure has been implemented to manage stormwater runoff.  From vegetated swales in Montara and Moss Beach to green streets and parking lots in Brisbane, Burlingame, Daly City, and San Bruno, we’re collectively making strides in this direction.

• Keeping our waters clean is a team effort though, in which every resident, business, and pet owner can participate.

• Homeowners can help manage their own stormwater runoff by installing rain barrels and building rain gardens.
   
• Sewer lines and septic systems must be properly maintained and upgraded before they fail.
   
• Dog and horse owners need to pick up after their pets, both on the street or trail and also in their own backyards.
   
• Clean beaches are something everyone in San Mateo County should expect.  Please join our Team Effort and do your part to help make this a reality.

– Matt Fabry, San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program Coordinator