Galveston Bay: A Water Pollution Crisis

Galveston Bay is a popular destination for water recreation activities such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, and fishing. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of the water due to pollution. The main sources of pollution in Galveston Bay are oil spills, toxic contamination, litter, trash, and bacterial contamination. While Texas has a world-renowned Oil Spill Prevention and Response program, Galveston Bay has a long history of industrial activity, and the release of pollutants into the bay continues, with an average of 187 oil spills reported annually since 2009. In addition, the bay's local economy benefits from shipping and industrial activity, which also contribute to the presence of toxins and trash in the water. Furthermore, bacterial contamination, primarily from polluted runoff, malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems, and boater waste discharge, poses a risk to both human health and the oyster harvesting industry. While bacteria levels in the open water are usually low, they can spike after major rainfall events or storms, leading to beach advisories and restrictions on public access.

Oil spills

Galveston Bay has a long history of industrial activity, and while many regulations now exist to control the release of pollution, industrial activities still result in pollutants being released into the bay. Oil spills are a notable issue, with an average of 187 spills reported each year since 2009. Most spills are small, but some are larger, such as the spill of over 150,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil into the Houston Ship Channel in 2014, and another spill in 2024, when a barge struck a bridge connecting Pelican Island and Galveston Island.

The Texas City Y oil spill in 2014 was another significant incident, which resulted in a $15.3 million settlement in 2022 to restore natural resources, including bottlenose dolphins, birds, shoreline habitats, and recreational areas impacted by the pollution. The 2014 spill forced the closure of the shipping channel, with more than 80 ships unable to enter or leave the bay. The impact on wildlife was notable, with nearly 330 oiled birds recovered from Galveston Bay to North Padre Island, and a further 500 birds with traces of oil observed on Mustang Island.

The bay's local economy benefits from shipping and industrial activity, but this comes at a cost to the environment. While Texas has a world-renowned Oil Spill Prevention and Response program, the number of spills remains a concern, and the effects on wildlife and the local ecosystem can be devastating and long-lasting. Oil spills are not the only form of pollution in the bay; litter and trash are also significant issues, and there is currently no systematic Bay-wide monitoring in place to reduce this kind of pollution.

Fecal bacteria are another common pollutant, which can enter the bay through runoff from failing septic systems, pet waste, and livestock, as well as from boats with toilets. High bacteria levels can lead to beach closures and restrictions on public access, and they can also accumulate in oysters and other shellfish, making them unsafe to eat. Galveston Bay's water quality is, therefore, a complex issue, with a variety of sources of pollution that require ongoing management and monitoring.

Trash and litter

Galveston Bay has a long history of industrial activity, and while much of this activity occurred before environmental regulations existed, industrial activities still result in the release of pollutants in the Bay. The local economy benefits from shipping and industrial activity, but this also means that oil spills and toxic contamination are environmental risks.

There are three priority strategies for a cleaner Bay: secure your trash and pick up litter when you see it, teach your children to do the same, and enter your litter cleanup data in the Texas Litter Database. Reporting dumping online using the Galveston Bay Action Network is also encouraged.

The Trash Free Texas program connects local government leaders and Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates with data to help them identify and adopt areas in need of clean-up. The program has an "Adopt-a-Spot" site and Online Mapping Tool, which is used to foster a litter-free environment in Texas watersheds and track trash removal activities. The Houston-Galveston Area Council and partners have also launched a monthly newsletter, offering information about Trash Free Texas and featuring litter reduction efforts from partners across the region.

Litter control efforts cost American taxpayers over $11 billion each year. Approximately 80% of the trash in Texas waterways originates from land-based sources, such as roadways.

Sewage and industrial discharge

Galveston Bay has a long history of industrial activity, and while much of this activity occurred before the existence of environmental regulations, industrial activities still result in the release of pollutants into the Bay. These pollutants are predominantly found in the Bay's sediment.

The Houston Chronicle reported that more than 150 million gallons of raw sewage and industrial discharge were released from wastewater treatment facilities during and after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Smaller storms also cause problems, with more than 135,000 gallons of "partially treated domestic sludge" released into the Bay in 2016 due to an apparent malfunction at the main wastewater treatment plant.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working to address these issues. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality conducted water testing following Hurricane Harvey, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing a cleanup of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site, a source of dioxin in the San Jacinto River and Galveston Bay.

In addition to industrial discharge, sewage from failing septic systems, boats with onboard toilets, and runoff carrying bacteria from pet waste and livestock can also contribute to high levels of bacteria in the Bay. These bacteria, such as enterococcus, can cause various health issues, including rashes, skin irritation, and eye, ear, and respiratory infections. High bacteria levels have led to beach closures and restrictions on shellfish harvesting in certain areas.

To address these issues, the Galveston Bay Foundation provides advice to local residents on improving water quality and has created the Galveston Bay Action Network (GBAN), an interactive tool for reporting pollution, including sewage and discolored water, in the area.

Toxins in sediments

Galveston Bay has a long history of industrial activity, and while many of the regulations controlling the release of pollution did not exist before, industrial activities still result in the release of pollutants in the Bay. These pollutants are predominantly found in the Bay's sediments.

Monitoring programs have been set up to gather data on toxins in the sediments of Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel. Elevated concentrations of metals such as mercury, and organic compounds such as PCBs, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found in the sediment. The most common organic toxins found in the sediments of the Houston Ship Channel are Acenaphthylene, a PAH, and PCBs. The most common inorganic metal found in the sediments is mercury.

The danger of legacy pollutants such as PCBs and dioxins is that they can persist in the sediments for decades and can move into the Bay. Toxins in the sediment can also accumulate in fish and crab, especially in fatty areas, glands, and organs. This process is called bioaccumulation. Exposure to toxins like dioxins and PCBs can cause a range of illnesses, from skin rashes to immune system and nerve disorders to liver damage and an increased risk of cancer.

To address the issue of toxins in the sediments, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Houston-Galveston Area Council have initiated total maximum daily load projects for the Houston Ship Channel, San Jacinto River, Upper Galveston Bay, and Galveston Bay to pinpoint sources of dioxins and PCBs and develop a plan to reduce them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is also overseeing a cleanup of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site, one source of dioxin in the San Jacinto River and Galveston Bay.

Fecal bacteria

Galveston Bay is a popular spot for water recreation activities in Texas, with people flocking to the bay to swim, kayak, sail, and fish. However, the presence of bacteria in the water, particularly fecal bacteria, is a major concern for those engaging in these activities.

There are several factors that contribute to the presence of fecal bacteria in Galveston Bay. One significant factor is rainfall, as spikes in bacteria concentrations often occur following major rainfall events. This is due to runoff carrying bacteria into the bay from sources such as failing septic systems, pet waste, and livestock. Boats with onboard toilets can also contribute to bacteria contamination, even if the waste is treated, as it still contains elevated levels of fecal bacteria. In addition, bacteria can be released directly from the soil when sand or mud is stirred up by wind, waves, or boating activity, and it thrives in environments with less dissolved oxygen, often caused by high temperatures or algal blooms.

To address the issue of fecal bacteria in Galveston Bay, several measures can be taken. Individuals can help reduce bacteria concentrations in their local watershed by properly disposing of cooking fats, oils, and grease, as well as reducing runoff through the use of rain barrels or efficient lawn irrigation. Additionally, the Galveston Bay Foundation provides advice to local residents on improving water quality through the Galveston Bay Report Card. The foundation's Water Monitoring Team collects monthly water quality data, including fecal bacteria concentrations, to help keep the public informed about the safety of the water.

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