Beach Pollution's Impact On Water Sources

Beach pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both environmental and human health. The contamination of our coasts by harmful substances such as plastic, trash, litter, sewage, pesticides, and oil has led to the closure of coastal areas, destruction of marine life, and adverse effects on human well-being. With billions of pounds of pollution reaching our oceans annually, it is essential to understand the impact of beach pollution on water sources to address this global challenge. Beach pollution not only tarnishes the beauty of our beaches but also jeopardizes the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems, threatening the survival of numerous species and the well-being of coastal communities.

Wet weather discharges

Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melted snow flows over impervious surfaces like paved streets, parking lots, and rooftops. As it travels, the stormwater picks up and accumulates various pollutants, including trash, chemicals, oil, grease, nutrients, metals, bacteria, and sediment. These pollutants are then carried directly into storm drains, rivers, lakes, streams, and eventually the ocean. Newer drainage systems, built since the 1950s, separate stormwater from sewage using two different pipe networks. While this system reduces the risk of sewage overflows, it increases the amount of untreated runoff entering coastal waters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater enter US coastal waters annually, making it the leading cause of beach closures and advisories.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)

Combined sewers are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. Typically, the wastewater is transported to a sewage treatment plant for processing before being discharged into a water body. However, during heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the volume of wastewater can exceed the system's capacity, leading to occasional overflows. In such cases, the combined sewer systems are designed to discharge excess wastewater directly into nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies. These overflows, known as CSOs, contain a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater, resulting in beach closures, shellfish bed closures, and aesthetic issues.

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)

Sanitary sewer systems are intended to collect and transport all sewage to a publicly owned treatment facility. However, unintentional discharges of raw sewage, known as SSOs, can occur due to various factors such as blockages, line breaks, sewer defects, power failures, or inadequate sewer design. SSOs are a common occurrence in almost every sanitary sewer system and are considered one of the biggest causes of wet weather discharges. The EPA estimates that there are at least 23,000 to 75,000 SSOs per year in the United States.

Trash and litter

Plastic waste is a primary concern within the broader problem of trash and litter pollution. Plastic's persistence in the environment, combined with its widespread production and disposal, has overwhelmed waste management systems. As a result, plastic escapes from various sources, such as litter, industrial discharges, and open trash cans, ultimately finding its way into marine ecosystems. The United States, despite having only 4.3% of the world's population, generated the most plastic waste globally in 2016, with 42 million metric tons. This highlights the disproportionate contribution of certain countries to the global plastic pollution crisis.

The impact of trash and litter pollution on wildlife is devastating. Animals can become entangled in debris, leading to suffocation or drowning. Additionally, many species mistake plastic debris for food, ingesting it while feeding or swimming. This ingested plastic can damage their digestive tracts, interfere with their ability to feed, and lead to starvation or other negative health effects. A review of 747 studies found documented cases of entanglement or ingestion of marine debris by 914 species, including all known sea turtle species and about half of all marine mammal species.

Trash pollution also damages habitats. It can smother aquatic plants and corals, hindering their growth. Moreover, debris can serve as a vehicle for introducing non-native species into an ecosystem, potentially causing problems for biodiversity if these introduced species are invasive.

The presence of litter in communities can create health and safety risks for residents. It serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and can spread diseases through direct or indirect contact with humans. Mismanaged trash may also attract pests or cause fires.

Aquatic trash has negative repercussions for recreation, tourism, and the economy. The clean-up of trash that has escaped into the environment is expensive, often falling on local governments and taxpayers. A 2009 study estimated that the U.S. spends about $11.5 billion annually to address litter. Additionally, aquatic trash can lead to declining fish populations, impacting communities that rely on fisheries for subsistence, employment, and tourism. The aesthetic value of waterfront destinations is also diminished by trash pollution, making them less appealing and potentially unsafe for visitors.

Vessel discharges

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in controlling and regulating vessel discharges. The EPA's approach varies depending on the type of vessel, with recreational vessels and commercial vessels subject to different regulations. Recreational vessels, such as canoes, kayaks, motorboats, yachts, and sailboats, are covered under the Clean Boating Act. This act aims to limit the amount of pollution discharged from recreational vessels into US waters by requiring the EPA to develop management practices.

On the other hand, commercial vessels, including those used to transport paying customers, fall under the Vessel General Permit of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program and Coast Guard ballast water regulations. The EPA regulates incidental discharges from commercial vessels, such as ballast water, bilgewater, and graywater.

To address the issue of vessel sewage discharges, Section 312 of the Clean Water Act sets out a framework for regulating sewage discharges from vessels. The EPA, in collaboration with the US Coast Guard, implements this framework. "Sewage" is defined broadly under the Clean Water Act to include human body wastes and graywater discharges from commercial vessels operating on the Great Lakes. The EPA regulates the equipment that treats or holds sewage and establishes No-Discharge Zones (NDZs) where the release of sewage from vessels is prohibited.

The discharge of untreated sewage from boats is prohibited by both state and federal laws. For example, in Florida, the discharge of graywater from boats into the sea is not prohibited, as it is not considered "sewage" under the law. However, the discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited by the Florida Litter Law and the federal Clean Water Act.

Sewage overflows

CSOs are typically found in older sewer systems that collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. During heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the volume of wastewater can surpass the capacity of the system, leading to overflows. These overflows are designed to prevent backups into homes and buildings, but they release untreated sewage into the environment. SSOs, on the other hand, occur in sanitary sewer systems that are not designed to manage large amounts of rainwater. Defects in these systems, such as blockages or line breaks, can lead to unintentional discharges of raw sewage.

The impact of sewage overflows on water sources and beaches is significant. Firstly, they result in beach closures due to the high levels of bacteria and other pollutants that pose a risk to human health. Swimming in polluted water can cause various illnesses, including gastroenteritis, stomachaches, diarrhoea, and even more severe diseases. Secondly, sewage overflows contaminate water sources, affecting both aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies. The release of raw sewage introduces harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites into the water, making it unsafe for human consumption.

Additionally, sewage overflows contribute to the destruction of unique beach habitats needed by animals and plants. The pollution degrades the environment, reducing property values and hindering the economic growth of communities that depend on tourism and coastal activities. Finally, sewage overflows can have long-term effects on marine life. The presence of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from sewage can lead to harmful algal blooms (HABs). These HABs produce toxins that sicken both humans and wildlife, disrupting the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.

To address the issue of sewage overflows, it is essential to invest in upgrading and adapting sewer systems to accommodate increasing populations and weather events. Implementing better wastewater management practices and enforcing regulations to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage are crucial steps toward protecting water sources and preserving the health of beaches.

Algal blooms

Harmful algal blooms can have detrimental effects on both human health and ecosystems. They can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick through contact with contaminated water or food. These toxins can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, including hay fever-like symptoms, skin rashes, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even kidney or liver damage. When algal blooms become dense, they can block sunlight from reaching other plants and animals in the water, disrupting the ecosystem. Additionally, the decay of a bloom can use up oxygen in the water, suffocating other living organisms, and release harmful gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide.

While not all algal blooms are harmful, it is important to prevent their growth to protect human health and the environment. This can be achieved by properly using fertilizers and maintaining septic systems to reduce nutrient pollution in water sources.

Frequently asked questions