Photo by San Diego Coastkeeper
San Diego - the city of sun, surf, and a nearly constant 70 degree weather forecast. It seems to be the city that has it all. Unsurprisingly, San Diego has become densely populated with communities, roads, sidewalks, housing, shopping, industry and vehicles, which all contribute to a huge water quality issue in San Diego - urban runoff.
Urban runoff is water that flows over man-made surfaces in densely populated areas and drains directly into our waters. This is dangerous, because these waters carry pollutants such as oil, grease, pesticides, metals, bacteria and viruses, and toxic chemicals.
In Southern California, storm drain systems carry millions of gallons of polluted runoff to the ocean every day. In San Diego County alone, ninety percent of waterways are currently threatened by pollution. The storm drain systems empty directly into rivers, creeks, bays and beaches without any treatment.
San Diego Coastkeeper works to safeguard San Diego County’s vulnerable waters and keep them clean by ensuring improved and collaborative stormwater permits that regulate runoff. They also keep a keen eye on San Diego’s sewage spills, which once occurred daily in the City of San Diego, to make sure this avoidable pollution doesn’t destroy water quality. Whether through enforcement channels or partnerships with local government and industry leaders alike, San Diego Coastkeeper fights for solutions to keep the county’s waters clean.
Visit their website to learn more about the water pollution problems in San Diego County and how San Diego Coastkeeper protects and restores fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters.
Don’t forget to spread the word about dangers facing our oceans, including chemical pollution, every time someone asks about your Clam and Clasp jewelry, and share on social media using #SpeakfortheSea!