Water Pollution: California's Troubled Relationship With Nature

California has been facing a water pollution crisis, with reports suggesting that it has the fifth-most polluted water in the United States. The state's rivers, lakes, bays, and wetlands are plagued by pesticides, metals, pathogens, trash, and sediment, making the water unsafe for swimming, fishing, or drinking. This has disproportionately affected communities of colour, who have been forced to truck in drinking water due to polluted or dry groundwater wells. The state has also been criticized for its flawed water rights system, which has contributed to systemic racism and inequality. While steps are being taken to improve water quality, California still has a long way to go to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for all its residents.

California's water pollution sources

In addition to agricultural runoff, California's water pollution is also attributed to drought conditions and inadequate river flows. This has resulted in the decimation of native fish populations, including salmon runs essential for tribes, and a growing list of fish species facing extinction. Mercury contamination, particularly in the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, is another pressing issue, with a Contra Costa County study finding that a significant number of anglers regularly consume fish with unsafe levels of mercury.

The widespread use of soil fumigants, which began in the 1950s, has contaminated groundwater in the Central Valley and the San Joaquin Valley with 1,2,3-TCP, an industrial solvent and impurity in these fumigants. Even though the fumigants were pulled from the market or reformulated in California by the 1990s, elevated levels persist in the water, posing health risks to residents.

Water pollution in California also has historical roots, with contaminants like mercury from mining activities continuing to affect water quality. Additionally, the state's flawed water rights system, which was created during a time of tribal land seizure and racial inequality, has contributed to the pollution of groundwater wells, disproportionately impacting communities of color and tribal communities dependent on salmon runs.

To address these issues, California has implemented regulations such as the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and adopted stringent drinking water limits for specific chemicals. However, the state still faces challenges in ensuring safe and reliable drinking water for all its residents, with underserved communities of color bearing the brunt of unsafe water quality.

The impact of water pollution on communities of colour

California is facing a severe water pollution problem, with a recent report ranking it as the state with the fifth-most polluted water in the US. This issue disproportionately affects communities of colour, who are more likely to be exposed to unsafe drinking water and the negative health consequences that come with it.

A study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents are more likely to be exposed to harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their water supplies. PFAS, dubbed "forever chemicals", are artificial compounds widely used for their stain-resistant and water-resistant properties. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The study also revealed that sociodemographic factors, such as race and income, play a significant role in water quality and infrastructure. Small water systems serving low-income and minority communities may have poorer source water quality due to their proximity to pollution sources and limited resources for proper management and treatment.

In California, communities of colour have been disproportionately affected by water pollution and a lack of access to safe drinking water. For example, Latino farm communities struggling with poverty and pollution are especially hard-hit, with many relying on polluted or dry groundwater wells. Additionally, communities along the Los Angeles River face the highest pollution levels statewide, yet the state has been accused of treating these areas as water quality "sacrifice zones". The state's flawed water rights system, which was created during a time of systemic racism and inequality, has contributed to the disparity, with tribes and communities of colour being denied rights to water from rivers.

Addressing water pollution and ensuring equitable access to safe drinking water is crucial for protecting public health and promoting environmental justice. Recommendations to achieve this include improving national laws, preventing water contamination by regulating industrial and agribusiness discharges, and enforcing laws to hold polluters accountable. By taking comprehensive action, California can work towards providing swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters for all its residents, regardless of race or income.

The Clean Water Act and its influence

California has been reported to have the fifth-most polluted water in the US. The cause is said to be agricultural runoff and drought, with 95% of the state's rivers, lakes, bays, and wetlands plagued by pesticides, metals, pathogens, trash, and sediment, making the water unsafe for swimming, fishing, or drinking.

In the context of California's water pollution issues, the Clean Water Act (CWA) is a critical piece of legislation. The CWA is the primary federal law in the United States that governs water pollution. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. The Act recognizes the primary responsibility of states in addressing pollution and provides assistance, including funding for publicly owned treatment works to improve wastewater treatment and maintain the integrity of wetlands.

The CWA establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into US waters and sets quality standards for surface waters. It makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters without a permit from the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The EPA has also developed national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters.

The CWA has had a significant influence on water pollution control and has been one of the most influential modern environmental laws in the United States. It has led to the development and implementation of pollution control programs, such as setting wastewater standards for industries and water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. The Act has also funded the construction of sewage treatment plants and addressed critical problems posed by nonpoint source pollution.

However, it is important to note that the CWA does not directly address groundwater contamination. While the Act has been instrumental in regulating and reducing water pollution, groundwater protection provisions are included in other legislation such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Superfund Act.

The state's water quality regulations

California has been criticized for its poor water quality, with reports showing that it has some of the highest levels of water pollution in the country. In fact, 95% of the state's rivers, lakes, bays, and wetlands are plagued by pesticides, metals, pathogens, trash, and sediment, making the water unsafe for various activities.

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) was created by the California State Legislature in 1967. The Board has the authority to allocate water and protect water quality, aiming to provide comprehensive protection for California's waters. There are nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards) that operate under the State Water Board. These Regional Boards are responsible for developing and enforcing water quality objectives and implementation plans that cater to the unique characteristics of their respective regions, including differences in climate, topography, geology, and hydrology.

The water quality standards set by these Boards are implemented through Basin Plans, which are administered by the Regional Boards, and through statewide Plans and Policies, overseen by the State Water Board. One example is the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin, which includes amendments to water quality standards effective on or before May 17, 2016.

Another initiative is the Water Quality Control Policy on the Use and Disposal of Inland Waters Used for Powerplant Cooling, which outlines policies and procedures for the investigation, cleanup, and abatement of discharges under the Water Code. Additionally, the EPA has proposed establishing a federal CWA selenium water quality criterion for certain California freshwater bodies to protect aquatic life and aquatic-dependent wildlife.

Despite these regulations, California's water rights system has been criticized for its role in systemic racism and inequality. Communities of color often bear the brunt of unsafe water, and the state has been accused of treating these communities as "water quality sacrifice zones." There is a pressing need for the state to address these issues and ensure swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters for all Californians.

Efforts to improve California's water quality

California has some of the highest levels of water pollution in the United States. A report by the non-profit Environmental Integrity Project found that nearly half of the rivers and streams across the country are too polluted for drinking, swimming, and fishing, with California ranking as the fifth-most polluted state.

California has made some efforts to address its water quality issues. Here are some key actions and initiatives:

• Clean Water Act: In 1972, Congress passed the federal Clean Water Act with the goal of restoring America's waters. While this has led to some improvements, many water sources in California remain contaminated.
• Water Quality Regulations: California has implemented various water quality regulations, such as the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and the federal Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. These acts aim to prevent pollution discharges into water bodies and ensure safe drinking water.
• Addressing Climate Change: California is a leader in addressing climate change, with legislation, regulations, and executive orders targeting a reduction in heat-trapping gas emissions. By 2030, the state aims to reduce these emissions by 40% below 1990 levels. This includes improving energy efficiency, agricultural methods, and water conservation.
• Water Treatment and Infrastructure Upgrades: California has directed substantial state and federal funds toward upgrading water treatment infrastructure and consolidating water systems. This is particularly important for small, rural water systems and Native American communities that often lack access to safe drinking water.
• Pollution Control: California spends approximately $10 billion annually on water pollution control, primarily focused on "point sources" like wastewater treatment. Cities are also required to address "non-point sources," such as limiting or cleaning up stormwater and runoff pollution.
• Water Rights Reform: California's water rights system has been criticised for its role in systemic racism and inequality, particularly affecting tribes and communities of colour. There are calls for the Newsom administration to take a new approach and create a biological policy to protect the biological health of waterways.
• Reducing Contaminants: With the inclusion of emerging contaminants like hexavalent chromium and PFAS in regulations, even large water systems previously in compliance will need to upgrade their treatment processes. This will help reduce the health risks associated with contaminated drinking water.
• Capturing and Reusing Wastewater: The recent drought has sparked interest in projects that capture and reuse treated wastewater and stormwater, providing both water quality and supply benefits.
• Environmental Protection Agency Recommendations: To tackle water pollution nationwide, the Environmental Protection Agency has been advised to update its water assessment regulations and allocate more resources and staff to address the issue.

Frequently asked questions