Kiera Jefferson
Mission Bay, one of the West Coast's largest aquatic parks, has long suffered from pollution, especially in its eastern section. In 2012, there were 163 days when people were advised to stay out of the water due to pollution concerns. While SeaWorld has been a known polluter, the bay also faces issues with urban runoff, bird fecal matter, and bacterial contamination from ageing stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure. High levels of pollutants, such as fecal bacteria, copper, and phosphorus, pose chronic health risks to both people and marine species. Despite experts downplaying concerns about the bay's pollution, data from the Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring program highlights the urgent need for increased investment in infrastructure upgrades and pollution source tracking to improve water quality and protect public health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution from | Urban run-off, bird fecal matter, leaking sewer and stormwater pipes, SeaWorld waste |
| Pollutants | Fecal bacteria, copper, phosphorus, ammonia, animal waste |
| Water quality | Unsafe levels of bacteria, does not meet state Water Quality Objectives (WQO) for safe contact recreation |
| Health risks | Chronic health risks for people recreating in and on the water, adverse effects on marine species |
| Action needed | Increased investment in stormwater infrastructure, tracking and addressing sources of pollution |
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What You'll Learn
SeaWorld's impact on Mission Bay pollution
Mission Bay in San Diego, California, is one of the West Coast's largest aquatic parks, attracting thousands of visitors each year. It has historically suffered from poor water quality, with high levels of pollutants such as bacteria, copper, and phosphorus. While there are multiple sources of pollution in the bay, SeaWorld has been identified as one of the biggest contributors.
SeaWorld is the largest discharger of water into Mission Bay and has been fined in the past for dumping excessive ammonia and animal waste into the bay. In 2012, SeaWorld was fined $6,000 for exceeding the allowed limits of effluent in Mission Bay. The park has also been criticised for its nightly fireworks displays during the summer months, with debris falling into the water and harming wildlife.
The environmental nonprofit San Diego Coastkeeper published a report in 2024 that summarised a year of monthly water monitoring data at locations around Mission Bay. The report found persistently high levels of bacteria, copper, and phosphorus, often exceeding state water quality standards for safe public recreation and a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The report highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in stormwater infrastructure and a greater focus on tracking and addressing the sources of pollution.
According to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health, in 2012, there were 42 rain advisory days, 53 bacterial exceedance advisory days, and 68 precautionary advisory days, totalling 163 days when people were advised to stay out of the water. The high levels of bacteria can lead to chronic health risks for people recreating in and on the water, as well as negatively impacting marine species.
While SeaWorld has been a known polluter of Mission Bay, there are also other sources of pollution, including urban runoff, bird faecal matter, and ageing stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure. However, with SeaWorld being the largest discharger of water into the bay, their impact on the pollution levels cannot be ignored. The park's contribution to the pollution of Mission Bay highlights the need for increased regulation and enforcement of water quality standards to protect the health of both the public and the aquatic ecosystem.
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![Report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission to Hon. Frank Wayland Higgins, governor, March 31, 1905 ... 1905 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Bird faecal matter pollution
Bird faecal matter is a significant source of pollution in Mission Bay, accounting for over 70% of the fecal coliform pollution at enclosed beaches. The issue is not unique to Mission Bay, as similar harbour beaches up the coast have faced the challenge of finding ways to deter birds from public areas.
The pollution in Mission Bay has been a long-standing issue, with beach activists advocating for funds generated from businesses, fees, rents, and leases in the area to be allocated specifically for improvements in the bay. In 2013, experts at a public forum addressed concerns about the bay's pollution, particularly in the eastern section, which lacks the flushing action of the western parts.
While SeaWorld has been a major contributor to the pollution in Mission Bay, receiving fines for dumping excessive ammonia and animal waste, bird faecal matter pollution remains a significant concern. The San Diego Pollution Program has acknowledged the city's failure to protect the natural resources of Mission Bay, with almost daily warnings about unsafe bacteria levels.
The 2024 Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Report by San Diego Coastkeeper revealed persistently high levels of bacteria, copper, and phosphorus, often exceeding state water quality standards for safe public recreation and a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Fecal bacteria levels were found to exceed state standards more than 50% of the time, in both dry and wet weather conditions.
The report highlights the urgent need for increased investment in stormwater infrastructure and a stronger focus on identifying and addressing pollution sources. Bird faecal matter pollution is a critical aspect of this, as it poses chronic health risks to individuals recreating in and on the water, as well as to marine species that depend on a clean bay.
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Bacterial contamination
The sources of bacterial contamination in Mission Bay are multifaceted. One of the primary contributors is ageing stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure, which leads to the presence of harmful bacteria in the water. Additionally, bird fecal matter has been identified as a significant source of bacterial pollution, accounting for over 70% of fecal coliform pollution at enclosed beaches. The issue of bird fecal pollution is not unique to Mission Bay, and similar coastal areas have implemented measures to deter birds from public areas.
SeaWorld has also been implicated in the bacterial contamination of Mission Bay. In 2012, SeaWorld was fined for dumping excessive ammonia and animal waste into the bay. As the largest discharger of water into the bay, SeaWorld's impact on the bacterial pollution levels cannot be overlooked. The pollution from SeaWorld's fireworks displays during the summer months has also been proven to harm wildlife in the bay.
The bacterial contamination in Mission Bay has led to health risks for individuals recreating in and on the water, as well as adverse effects on marine species. The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health reported a significant number of advisory days in 2012, including 53 bacterial exceedance advisory days, during which people were advised to stay out of the water due to unsafe bacterial levels. The persistent presence of harmful bacteria in the bay underscores the urgent need for increased investment in infrastructure upgrades and pollution source tracking and mitigation.
To address the bacterial contamination in Mission Bay, there have been calls for increased investment in addressing leaking sewer and stormwater pipes. Additionally, there is a critical need to identify and stop the sources of pollution, including addressing the impact of SeaWorld's operations and finding solutions to reduce bird fecal matter in the bay. By implementing effective measures, the water quality in Mission Bay can be improved, ensuring the safety and health of both the public and the local marine ecosystem.
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Copper and phosphorus pollution
San Diego Coastkeeper, an environmental non-profit, released its first annual Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Report in 2024. The report summarises a year's worth of data showing elevated levels of copper and phosphorus, often exceeding state water safety standards.
The report highlights the need for more effective mitigation to reduce pollution in Mission Bay. It is important to note that high levels of copper and phosphorus could be the result of multiple sources. Aging stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure are likely sources of bacterial contamination.
The report also reveals that not a single location passed all state Water Quality Objectives (WQO) for safe contact recreation, especially after rain events. This is concerning as Mission Bay is one of San Diego's most popular marine recreation attractions.
Furthermore, the data shows that 90% of the locations reported copper levels above state standards more than 50% of the time, and 60% of the sampling locations reported high levels of phosphorus in more than 50% of the samples. These findings underscore the urgent need for increased investment in stormwater infrastructure and a more focused approach to tracking and addressing the sources of these pollutants.
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Water quality objectives
Mission Bay in San Diego has a history of pollution, with the bay making it onto California's list of impaired water bodies. The water quality has been a concern for beach activists and local organisations like San Diego Coastkeeper, which published a report in 2024 highlighting the poor state of the bay's water.
The report summarised a year of monthly water monitoring data, revealing that the bay consistently failed to meet state Water Quality Objectives (WQO) for safe public recreation and a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Fecal bacteria, copper, and phosphorus were found to be present in high concentrations, with 50% of sampling locations exceeding state standards for fecal bacteria, 90% for copper, and 60% for phosphorus.
Aging stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure are likely sources of bacterial contamination, while high levels of copper and phosphorus could originate from multiple sources. The report emphasises the urgent need for increased investment in stormwater infrastructure and a more rigorous approach to identifying and mitigating pollution sources.
The San Diego Pollution Program has also acknowledged the issues with water quality in Mission Bay, specifically calling out SeaWorld for its contribution to the pollution. SeaWorld, being the largest discharger of water into the bay, has been fined in the past for dumping excessive ammonia and animal waste. Additionally, the debris from their summer fireworks displays has been proven to harm wildlife.
The water quality issues in Mission Bay pose risks to both public health and the aquatic environment, underscoring the importance of effective pollution management and the need for all responsible parties to take action.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mission Bay is polluted. In 2024, a report by San Diego Coastkeeper showed persistently high levels of bacteria, copper, and phosphorus.
The primary cause of pollution in Mission Bay is SeaWorld. In 2012, SeaWorld was fined $6,000 for dumping excessive ammonia and animal waste into the Bay.
Other sources of pollution in Mission Bay include urban runoff, bird fecal matter, and fireworks debris from SeaWorld's summer shows.
High levels of pollutants, such as fecal bacteria, can cause chronic health risks for people recreating in and on the water, as well as marine species that depend on a clean Bay.
The Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring program has been working to improve the water quality in the Bay. Additionally, $2 million in improvements will be made to Mission Bay, generated by businesses, fees, rents from leases, and other revenue sources.
