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Ash to Action: Heal the Bay’s Post-Fire Water Quality Investigation

Looking for more than water quality? Find more Ash to Action Updates HERE.

SEE OUR THE LATEST POST-FIRE WATER QUALITY UPDATES:

UPDATE APRIL 10, 2025

The ocean water advisories along LA’s coast have been lifted, and based on recent data, Heal the Bay is cautiously optimistic that chemical contamination from the fires no longer poses a major risk for beachgoers. Post-fire debris is still a danger.

Is it finally safe to swim and surf? This week the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health lifted the ocean water advisories along LA’s coast. Based on data collected in January and February, Heal the Bay is cautiously optimistic that the chemical contamination from the fires does not pose a significant risk for recreation at our local beaches or in our coastal waters. However, the burn area may still pose some risks to beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers. Here’s what we know:

Physical debris is still being observed in the water and along the shore, primarily off the coast of the burn area from Las Flores to Will Rogers Beach. The good news is that LA County Beaches and Harbors is reporting a decrease in the volume of debris washing onto our shores. But because debris can include sharp objects, everyone should continue to use extra caution to avoid anything that looks like wildfire reminants, whether on the sand or in our coastal waters.

Debris removal has begun on the 300 homes along PCH that were tragically lost in the fires. While this is great news for the bay, there may be a risk to human health within 250 yards of debris removal activity. The LA County Department of Public Health has issued a health advisory stating that it is not safe to reside within 250 yards of debris removal because the activity can disturb contaminants and send them into the air and water. Out of an abundance of caution, Heal the Bay would like to highlight that recreating within 250 yards of debris removal may also pose additional risk to beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers.

If you choose to visit our beaches or get in the water, HTB recommends the following safety precautions:

Avoid areas within 250 yards of active debris removal.
Wear closed-toe shoes if walking on wet sand, as debris such as broken glass and structural fragments may still wash ashore.
Never touch trash or debris with bare hands.
Keep children and pets away from debris, especially in wet sand or high tide areas, where contamination risk may be higher.
Do not approach injured or distressed wildlife. If you have concerns about a marine mammal, contact the Marine Mammal Care Center at (1-800-39-WHALE).
Heal the Bay continues to urge beachgoers to recreate south of Santa Monica at Montana Avenue or north of the fire boundary in Malibu, where impacts are significantly lower.
Avoid eating seafood caught in Santa Monica Bay. Contaminants in the ocean water exceed safe levels for fish consumption. Additionally, the SoCal coast is experiencing a harmful algal bloom, which may pose a risk when consuming locally caught shellfish.

Please use this information to make informed choices for your safety and the well-being of your family and pets. The LA Regional Water Quality Control Board has also published risk-based recreational thresholds and a tool to help beachgoers decide how often they can safely enjoy the coastal waters.

While the beaches are open to the public now, the long-term impacts of wildfire contamination continue to raise concerns. Our January data shows elevated levels of heavy metals in the bay, posing risks to marine life. Heal the Bay continues to investigate the effects of wildfire-related pollutants and bioaccumulation in our coastal ecosystems, but we can’t do it without you. Visit healthebay.org/donate to support our science, safety, and post-fire recovery work. Together, we can protect what we love.

UPDATE MARCH 27, 2025

**New data has become available since March 27. An update is coming soon.

According to water-quality testing results released today by Heal the Bay, local marine life faces significant and ongoing threats from heavy metals that leached into Santa Monica Bay after January’s Palisades wildfires.

PRESS RELEASE 3/27/2025 –Test results from 10 collection sites along the entire length of Santa Monica Bay show that immediately after the fires, water quality at LA’s beaches was much better than expected, diminishing fears about human health impacts from polluted runoff in fire-scarred areas. We cannot definitively say that the water is safe until we have additional data and information about risk-thresholds for recreational contact, but based on the data we have seen to date, we are cautiously optimistic.

However, our analysis indicates that marine mammals, multiple fish populations, and other species further down the food chain are at serious risk from elevated levels of beryllium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, and other harmful heavy metals and nutrients.

Silver, arsenic and zinc were also detected above average marine-health limits. Aluminum, iron, and manganese also showed elevated levels, though no marine health limits exist for these metals. In all, Heal the Bay staff scientists and a regional water agency tested for 116 known pollutants at multiple sites in January and February.  (Please click here for a detailed analysis of the results, our data spreadsheet, and raw data from the PHYSIS lab.

Following heavy seasonal rains, toxic pollutants washed into the intertidal zones from burned structures and scorched earth in the Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. Waves lapping onto fire-ravaged buildings along Pacific Coast Highway continue to sweep harmful metals into the sea.

Even at low concentrations, heavy metals can disrupt vital biological processes, damage cells, and impair reproductive and immune functions for marine life. Metals can also be transferred and magnified through the food chain. This impacts the entire food web, which inevitably impacts humans. In short, when animals get sick, humans can get sick, particularly from consuming seafood that has a bioaccumulation of metals in their systems.

Heal the Bay is urging authorities to expedite the removal of burned-out structures and other fire-related debris from PCH as soon as possible. Unfortunately, some homeowners have been slow to respond to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ offers to facilitate debris removal. Roughly 45 shoreline homeowners have opted out of the program, while nearly 100 have not responded at all. Whether or not a homeowner decides to use the US Army Corps of Engineers or a private contractor, it’s imperative that debris removal happens quickly.

“Every day that hazardous debris remains along the coast, more harmful contaminants flow into the sea,” says Tracy Quinn, President and CEO of Heal the Bay. “If we want to give our marine life a fighting chance, we need that debris removed as soon as possible.”

The most concerning findings come from the hardest-hit fire areas, including Topanga Beach, the Big Rock section of Malibu, and Will Rogers State Beach near Pacific Palisades. However, the waters around Santa Monica Pier and Dockweiler State Beach also spiked for heavy metals — suggesting that more studies are needed to understand the movement of contaminants offshore or identify other sources.

Because it is now March, these data do not tell us the current conditions in Santa Monica Bay, but they do provide valuable insight into the impacts of the Palisades Fire on marine life and the potential impacts on human health.

Risk tolerance is a personal decision. Here is some information that can help beachgoers decide if, when, and where they may want to enter the ocean. 

The contaminants tested seem to be below human health limits for recreational contact for the data where limits could be identified. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is still assessing risk-thresholds, including those for PAH, a harmful organic compound related to fire-scorched debris.

PAHs, the group of contaminants that may be above human health limits, are unlikely to sicken people who swim or surf a few times, but frequent or prolonged exposure may contribute to an increased risk for future chronic health issues.

Beachgoers should also be careful about walking on the sand, which may contain sharp fire-related debris like nails and broken glass. For the time being, Heal the Bay recommends avoiding beaches within the fire-impacted areas and as far south as Montana Ave in Santa Monica. The Regional Water Quality Control Board has already posted some sand and sediment data for LA’s beaches. We are waiting for the complete test results to post our analysis. Stay tuned.

The fire and recent marine mammal deaths

It’s also worth noting the recent uptick in marine mammal beach stranding and deaths in Santa Monica Bay related to domoic acid poisoning. Elevated levels of runoff-related nutrients can contribute to the development of algal blooms in the Bay and accumulate in shellfish. When mammals consume shellfish, they can get sick and die from the neurotoxins produced by certain algae.

This is the fourth consecutive year of domoic acid outbreaks. The recent fires did create a significant dump of nutrients like sulfate and phosphorous into the ocean, but there is no evidence, yet, of a correlation between the wildfires and the domoic acid outbreak.

About the testing

On Jan. 24-25, before the first winter storms came, Heal the Bay staff collected ocean-water samples at 10 shoreline sites across Santa Monica Bay. From Paradise Cove to Malaga Cove, they tested for 116 pollutants. They took samples again on Jan. 28, after heavy rainfall, to better understand how stormwater might carry toxins from the burn zone.

Processing samples took multiple weeks due to the complexity of sample preparation, the need for precise instrumentation, and the rigorous quality control required. It also took several weeks to receive the data results back from Physis Lab. Then, additional time was needed for Heal the Bay’s Science and Policy Team to analyze and assess the data.

Staff members from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health collected water samples on Feb. 18, which Heal the Bay also analyzed for its report. After the intense Feb. 13 storms, testing showed elevated levels of contaminants that do not have established risk-thresholds for recreational contact. Further analysis is required and will be included in an upcoming post.

Heal the Bay is part of a collaborative task force working with government agencies, researchers, and other nonprofits to better understand the extent of the contamination and how to clean it up efficiently. We will be updating our analysis and sharing the findings in the weeks to come as soon as new data becomes available.

Heal the Bay is the only organization providing this kind of in-depth analysis of water quality data.

But to continue this important work, we need your support. If you’d like to see more of these efforts, please consider donating.

Every contribution helps!

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UPDATE MARCH 25, 2025

Watch the Webinar for today’s latest Heal the Bay Ash to Action Updates.

Learn about the critical work that Heal the Bay and its academic partners are doing to protect the environment and monitor water quality in Santa Monica Bay.

UPDATE MARCH 13, 2025

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has released its 2025 Post-Fire Water Quality Monitoring results.

“The board has been working with Los Angeles County to monitor ocean water quality since Jan. 22, 2025. Samples are collected regularly at 12 beach sites from La Costa Beach to Dockweiler Beach by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. They then are analyzed by the board for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls (PBCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires.” (Waterboards.ca.gov)

Click here to SEE THEIR RESULTS, the test site map, and stay tuned for their sediment and beach sand sampling results.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Post-Fire Water Quality in Santa Monica Bay: We reviewed results from the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH).

Recent wildfires in Los Angeles that started on January 07, 2025, have impacted water quality in Santa Monica Bay. To understand the extent of these water quality impacts, we looked for contaminants that are likely to be mobilized after a wildfire, and that pose a risk to human and ecological health when concentrations are elevated; this includes heavy metals, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), nutrients, bacteria, and solids that decrease water clarity. Right now, Heal the Bay has data that our staff collected for bacteria and water clarity (referred to as “turbidity”), which have faster processing times and which we can test on-site in the Heal the Bay lab, while other contaminant samples were sent to a contracted lab to process.

While we wait for Heal the Bay’s results for the other contaminants, we reviewed results from the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH), which took samples on January 22, 2025, and January 27, 2025, at beaches from Las Flores State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach. These data points are representative of water quality before and after the first flush rain event, over a month ago. Since then, we have had additional significant rainfall, including nearly two inches of rain on February 13, 2025, which, unfortunately, was not tested by DPH in time to provide wet weather data. Data that are more recent will provide needed insight into overall conditions in our coastal waters. Heal the Bay will continue to provide updates as new data become available.

Water contact limits do not exist for most of the contaminants of concern associated with wildfires, so to understand potential health risks, we compared results to limits in the CA Drinking Water standards, the CA Ocean Plan (for both human health and marine life), and the Hawai‘i Department of Health Surface Water Action Levels for Marine Habitats (used to assess impacts of the Lahaina Fires). Our initial findings show elevated heavy metals, bacteria, nutrients, and other organic compounds, along with a decline in water clarity, all of which indicate that wildfire runoff does pose a risk to human and ecological health and that contamination is traveling beyond the immediate burn zone.

Key Findings from January 22 and 27, 2025:

Heavy Metals and Metalloids: Aluminum, iron, selenium, and manganese were elevated above drinking water standards, sometimes as much as 10x the limit. This is not an immediate human health threat, but we urge caution if there is the possibility of ingestion. These four metals, in addition to arsenic, copper, and zinc, also exceeded safety thresholds for marine health, particularly at Will Rogers State Beach and Topanga Beach, posing a health risk to marine life. Even at low concentrations, these metals can disrupt vital biological processes, damage cells, and impair reproductive and immune functions for marine animals.

PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons): PAHs were detected at unsafe levels, based on human health standards in the CA Ocean Plan, at Will Rogers State Beach and Topanga Beach and were not detected at other sites. This poses a site-specific risk to human health within the burn zone.

Nutrients: Elevated phosphorus levels have increased nutrient concentration in Santa Monica Bay, leading to the formation of a persistent brown foam along the shoreline and increasing the risk of algal blooms.

Turbidity & Solids: While turbidity may not pose a direct risk to public health, it can disrupt biological processes for marine life, and water clarity can help to show how far runoff from the burn zone traveled along the coastline. Water clarity declined significantly after rain from Surfrider Beach down to at least Dockweiler Beach, indicating wildfire runoff spread beyond the burn zone. Turbidity levels were consistently good at Paradise Cove (north of the burn zone) and Malaga Cove (just north of Palos Verdes Peninsula), indicating boundaries on the extent of pollution traveling up and down the coastline, but that boundary is not yet clear.

Bacterial Contamination: High bacteria levels were observed near storm drains, worsening after rainfall, following the typical pattern for bacterial pollution in Santa Monica Bay.

What You Need to Know:

A day at the beach should never make anyone sick. Heal the Bay is dedicated to protecting public health by sharing water quality information, and we remain concerned about the potential risks associated with post-fire contamination in ocean water and sand. Additionally, hazardous debris, such as nails and pipes, continues to wash ashore, posing a physical risk to beachgoers.

At this time, Heal the Bay recommends avoiding beaches and ocean water from Las Flores to Santa Monica State Beach and exercising caution at beaches further south, at least to Dockweiler State Beach. While water clarity does improve further south at Malaga Cove, we do not yet have comprehensive data for beaches south of Dockweiler State Beach, so we cannot determine potential health risks. If you visit the beach anywhere in Santa Monica Bay south of Surfrider Beach:

Stay vigilant; look out for sharp debris and avoid picking up objects with bare hands.

Keep children and pets from touching or ingesting water or wildfire debris.

Refrain from full-body submersion into the coastal waters in the designated areas, which can lead to accidental ingestion.

Heal the Bay has collected additional sand and water samples throughout Santa Monica Bay from Paradise Cove down to Malaga Cove. We will share results on our website as soon as those data become available. We urge the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to enhance transparency in decision-making and ensure all relevant data is made publicly accessible in a timely manner. Until further testing is completed and more information on current water conditions is released, we advise the public to remain cautious when visiting affected beaches.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 26, 2025

On Monday, February 24, 2025, Heal the Bay learned that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) had stated beachgoers may recreate on the sand in the fire-impacted areas. We also learned that this determination is likely based on only two debris samples taken by Los Angeles County Public Works, one at Topanga Creek and the other at Will Rogers State Beach. These samples were collected to determine the disposal method required to remove the debris, not to determine if it is safe for people to be on the sand. It is alarming that DPH would make this proclamation based on only two data points. While preliminary debris and ocean water quality testing have not shown elevated levels of harmful contaminants attributed to burned household items, the sample size for both water and sand thus far is quite small. At this time, we simply do not have enough information to determine if the sand or water at beaches where debris is present is safe for recreation. Furthermore, dangerous debris such as nails, screws, and pipes continue to wash up on shore, often concealed in sand or near-shore waves, increasing the risk to people playing on our beaches. This is an unprecedented event, and we must wait for the results of additional testing before declaring our beaches safe. We ask for increased transparency from the LA County Department of Public Health in decision making going forward, data used to protect our public health should be available to the public.

For now, Heal the Bay recommends that people avoid beaches (both sand and water) from Las Flores to Santa Monica State Beach and use extra caution on beaches south of Santa Monica. If choosing to go to the beach, watch out for sharp debris, do not pick up debris with your bare hands, and keep a close eye on children and pets to ensure they do not touch or ingest debris.

Heal the Bay and the Regional Water Quality Control Board have each collected sand samples from throughout the burn area, and we are awaiting results. We will share our ocean water and sand testing results on our website as soon as they are available.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s full statement on beach safety: “The ocean water advisory due to fire impacts from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach remains in effect until further notice. Beachgoers may recreate on the sand but continue to be advised to stay away from visible fire debris and to stay out of the ocean water during any posted ocean advisory.”

UPDATE FEBRUARY 18, 2025

We expect results this week from Heal the Bay’s first round of expanded ocean-water quality testing.

In late January, Heal the Bay’s staff scientists began collecting ocean-water samples from 10 shoreline sites along the Bay to test for heavy metals, PCBs, asbestos, and other toxins. These harmful pollutants are flowing unchecked to the sea from recent heavy rains and other runoff from burn zones. We expect results from before and after the “first flush” storm during the week of February 17th and will post them here.

UPDATE JANUARY 14, 2025

We present the updated timeline detailing our recent water quality assessment activities in the coastal regions affected by the Palisades fire.

January 24-25, 2025

- Heal the Bay conducted initial pre-rain water quality testing at 10 locations throughout Santa Monica Bay: five within the burn zone, three outside of the burn zone but within the beach advisory zones, and two control sites (one north and one south of the beach advisory zones).
- Our water quality scientists tested for temperature, turbidity, Fecal Indicator Bacteria, PAHs, PCBs, PFAS, benzene, mercury, and other heavy metals. This sampling involved coordination with the Fire Department and Lifeguards to gain access to the closed burn zone.
January 28, 2025:
- After the January 26 rainstorm, staff took water quality samples again for the same pollutants and at the same locations tested on January 24-25, to compare pre- and post-rain results.
- Jenny Jay from UCLA joined us for the six northernmost sampling sites to test for metals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and nutrients.
February 3, 2025:
- Heal the Bay staff examined the Beach Report Card on Friday, January 31, 2025, and identified data gaps within the burn zone.
- Staff went out on Monday, February 3, 2025, to sample the five locations within the burn zone for temperature, turbidity, and Fecal Indicator Bacteria (which we can process ourselves in our lab) to fill those data gaps.
- On this sample day, journalists from NPR and Spectrum News and the Fire Department’s photography team joined us to document and report on our testing.
- Heal the Bay staff attended the Post-Fire Coordinated Water Quality Testing Meeting hosted by SCCWRP. While this group aims to establish a working group to coordinate long-term post-fire water quality monitoring (which Heal the Bay will participate in), this meeting addressed urgent needs arising from the weather conditions by identifying who would be conducting sampling that week, where the sampling would occur, and which contaminants would be tested.
February 10, 2025:
- Heal the Bay returned to the field one last time to support ongoing research, visiting six of our ten original sample sites, from Surfrider Beach at Malibu Lagoon to Will Rogers State Beach at Santa Monica Canyon.
- An assessment of the BRC on Friday, February 7, 2025, indicated no remaining data gaps, so we did not collect Fecal Indicator Bacteria samples.
- Instead, this trip was intended to gain access to the burn zone one more time and show our sampling locations to researchers from the Proteocean Lab at USC. They plan to build on our initial testing with weekly sampling for heavy metals, microbial health, and nutrients.
- Staff from Surfrider also joined us so that we could show them where there is safe access to their regular testing locations within the burn zone.
- We also collected sand samples at each site from below the high tide line and above the high tide line where the sand was dry (where possible). These samples have been delivered to CSU Northridge, where researchers will test them for heavy metals and PAHs. They will also compare the results from our sand samples to soil samples that they collected within the Eaton Fire burn zone.

UPDATE JANUARY 29, 2025

Our fire response has just begun.

Over the past six days, the Heal the Bay Science and Policy Team has been testing water in and out of the burn zones along Santa Monica Bay impacted by the Palisades Fire.

The Palisade Fire has increased sedimentation and introduced harmful pollutants into our coastal waters, and Heal the Bay is dedicated to understanding the impacts, which is why we are testing for key pollutants that may be transported into Santa Monica Bay due to runoff from the Palisade Fire.

Not only are we testing for bacteria and turbidity (which we can process in-house), but we are also collecting samples to test for Heavy metals, Mercury, PAHs/PCBs, Benzene, and PFOS/PFOA (two types of PFAS). We collected samples before and after the rain event on January 26, 2025, which will provide a comparative analysis of initial pollutant levels and stormwater runoff effects.

During a typical rain event, stormwater runoff is considered the most significant source of water pollution. Following the unprecedented wildfires in Los Angeles this past weekend, the “first flush” amplified the pollution – carrying not only higher levels of typical pollutants like oil and grease, trash, plastic, bacteria, and heavy metals but also wildfire debris and other hazardous materials including ash, fire suppressant, household chemicals, car batteries, and more. These contaminants pose significant risks to water quality, marine ecosystems, and public health.

The team collected water samples from 10 key locations, including areas within the burn zone, adjacent impacted areas, and control sites.

(NOTE: We were joined in the field by Professor Jennifer Jay of UCLA, and there may be additional data from agency offices like the LA County Department of Public Health, that will also contribute to the very limited water quality dataset for understanding the impacts of the Palisades Fire.)

Heal the Bay is one of only a few organizations doing this water quality testing in the wake of these devastating fires. Still, great science is collaborative, and our team is excited to be one of the only nonprofits contributing to this initial and limited data set. Every bit of data will help us understand the long-term impacts of this unprecedented fire season.

Our findings will be shared as soon as possible to inform the public about potential environmental and public health risks. We will also contribute to coordinated monitoring efforts that will inform policymakers and guide future mitigation and response efforts.

While our samples are being processed to help us understand what is in our coastal waters, we strongly urge everyone to avoid contact with ocean water and to refrain from walking on the beach, as fire debris runoff may contain toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. The LA County Department of Public Health has issued Ocean Water Closures from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach, with additional Beach Advisories issued as far north as Surfrider Beach at Malibu Lagoon and south to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way, all of which will remain in effect until further notice. Your health and safety are our top priority—thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and our environment.

There are so many people to thank for making this work happen, but we will start with a huge thanks to Dan Murphy of the LA Fire Department for helping coordinate access to the burn zone, Los Angeles County Lifeguards and to our Heal the Bay sampling team (Dr. Tania Pineda-Enriquez PhD, Annelisa Moe, Naomi Meurice, Zoë Collins, and Vicente Villaseñor). 

Key Terms:

PAHs = polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds associated with oil/grease

PCBs = Polychlorinated biphenyls, chemicals used in industrial / commercial products  (PCBs stopped being produced in the 70s, so a legacy chemical)

PFASs = Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals (manmade chemicals that do not breakdown ) used to make waterproof, nonstick, and flame-resistant products.

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Santa Monica Pier’s Water Quality Mystery and New Task Force

News

Solving the Santa Monica Pier’s Water Quality Mystery for a Cleaner Future at One of L.A.’s Most Iconic Shorelines

For decades, Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card has identified the Santa Monica Pier as one of Los Angeles County’s most persistent water quality challenges. Year after year, our scientists have detected elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria at one of Southern California’s most iconic and heavily visited coastal destinations. Those elevated bacteria levels signal the potential presence of pathogens that can pose a risk to swimmers, surfers, and beachgoers. Although there have been periods of improvement, bacterial pollution has repeatedly returned, revealing just how complex this issue is. That is finally beginning to change.

In partnership with the City of Santa Monica, Heal the Bay is leading the new Santa Monica Pier Water Quality Task Force, a coordinated, science-driven effort to better understand the persistent bacterial pollution at the Pier and develop real, actionable solutions. The Task Force represents a major step forward for public health, coastal protection, and accountability at a shoreline that millions of people visit, enjoy, and depend on each year.

The Santa Monica Pier is more than a landmark. It is a gateway to the Bay, a public gathering place, a driver of the local economy, and a symbol of Southern California’s connection to the coast.

The Santa Monica Pier is more than a landmark. It is a gateway to the Bay, a public gathering place, a driver of the local economy, and a symbol of Southern California’s connection to the coast. In 2023, Santa Monica welcomed an estimated 4.6 million visitors, generating approximately $938 million in economic activity¹. But beneath the Pier, the water quality tells a troubling story. Persistent bacterial pollution continues to threaten public health and raises urgent questions about what is entering the water, where it is coming from, and how to stop it.

¹ Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. 2023 Economic Impact Report.

Why the Pier Matters

Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card has tracked coastal water quality for decades, giving the public clear, science-based information about where it is safe to swim. The Santa Monica Pier has remained one of the most persistent problem areas in Los Angeles County, with poor grades during both wet and dry weather.

That matters.

When beaches experience poor water quality after rain, stormwater runoff is often the obvious culprit. Rain washes bacteria, trash, chemicals, and other pollutants from streets and storm drains into the ocean. At the Santa Monica Pier, however, elevated bacteria levels often occur even when it has not rained, suggesting that rain is not the only factor affecting water quality and that another persistent source of pollution may be contributing to the problem. This is particularly concerning because dry weather also brings the highest number of beachgoers into the water, increasing the potential for public exposure.

Without knowing the source, solutions remain reactive. The Task Force is designed to change that by bringing the right people, data, and tools together to identify the problem and move toward long-term fixes.

Why This Matters for Public Health

Fecal indicator bacteria are not just numbers in a report. They signal the possible presence of pathogens that can cause illness, including stomach flu, ear infections, skin rashes, and respiratory issues. Families, swimmers, surfers, anglers, tourists, and coastal workers all deserve clear information and clean water.

Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card and River Report Card were created to help people understand water quality risks and make informed decisions about where and when to get in the water. The Santa Monica Pier Task Force builds on that foundation by going beyond monitoring and public notification. It asks the next critical question: what is causing the pollution, and how do we fix it?

That is the kind of work coastal communities need more of. Monitoring tells us where there is a problem. Source identification helps us solve it.

A Different Kind of Collaboration

The Santa Monica Pier Water Quality Task Force brings together partners who do not always sit at the same table. Heal the Bay is leading this effort in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment, with support and coordination from scientific experts, public agencies, environmental partners, local businesses, and community stakeholders.

The goal is simple but ambitious: use better science, transparent collaboration, and shared responsibility to identify the sources of bacterial pollution and develop a practical action plan.

Key partners include Heal the Bay, the City of Santa Monica, academic and scientific experts from local institutions (including UCLA and USC), the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, community and nonprofit partners such as Save the Waves Coalition and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, and coordination with the LA County Safe Clean Water Program. Pier businesses, local hotels, and community members will also be important voices in the process to ensure that recommendations are practical, visible, and rooted in the needs of the people who live, work, and recreate along the coast.

This is not another study meant to sit on a shelf. The Task Force is being built around investigation, analysis, public communication, and action.

The Science Is Already Underway

The work has already begun.

Before daybreak on January 27, 2026, Heal the Bay scientists launched an intensive 16-hour sampling effort at the Santa Monica Pier. From sunrise to sundown, our team walked more than 15 miles back and forth along the Pier collecting water samples every hour at three separate locations. Lab analysis continued late into the night and over the following two days.

This kind of detailed, targeted sampling is essential because bacterial pollution can shift throughout the day and vary from one location to another. By collecting data across time and space, scientists can better understand patterns that routine monitoring may miss.

The Task Force is building on decades of Beach Report Card data, previous investigations, and scientific research to better understand the factors contributing to poor water quality at the Santa Monica Pier. Using advanced microbial source tracking and other scientific tools, researchers can identify whether bacteria are more likely coming from human, bird, or other animal sources. Understanding where the bacteria originate is essential to developing targeted, science-based solutions that improve water quality and protect public health.

What the Task Force Will Do

Over the next five years, the Task Force will build upon decades of scientific monitoring, previous investigations, and infrastructure investments to better understand the persistent sources of bacterial pollution at the Santa Monica Pier and develop science-based recommendations for long-term improvement.

The work will include:

Reviewing historical water quality data, past studies, and previous infrastructure improvements

Building on existing monitoring efforts with additional targeted water quality sampling

Evaluating historical and scientific data to better understand persistent pollution sources

Using advanced microbial source tracking and other scientific tools to identify likely sources of bacteria

Assessing the effectiveness of existing pollution control measures and identifying opportunities for improvement

Developing science-based recommendations to support long-term water quality improvements and protect public health

The ultimate goal is to move from uncertainty to action. During Fall 2026, the Task Force is expected to release a comprehensive public report that outlines water quality trends, likely sources of pollution, and recommended solutions. Public health will remain the top priority.

These findings will also inform Heal the Bay’s future Beach Report Cards and support long-term accountability at the Pier.

A Stronger, More Accountable Future for the Pier

The formation of the Santa Monica Pier Water Quality Task Force is an important organizational milestone for Heal the Bay and a major opportunity for the region. For decades, the Pier’s poor water quality has been a known problem. Now, there is a coordinated process to better understand the source of that pollution and build a plan for action.

This effort reinforces Heal the Bay’s role as both a scientific authority and an environmental watchdog. We are bringing data, transparency, advocacy, and public communication together to protect public health and push for long-term solutions.

The Santa Monica Pier belongs to all of us. It is a place where people fish, swim, surf, work, visit, and connect with the ocean. It should also be a place where clean water is expected, protected, and prioritized.

The Task Force is a big step toward that future.

Heal the Bay will continue to share updates as this work progresses. In the meantime, you can stay informed about current water quality conditions by visiting Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card website or downloading the Beach Report Card app, which provides the latest beach water quality grades and swim advisories to help you make informed decisions before heading to the coast. Together, these tools and the work of the Santa Monica Pier Water Quality Task Force support our ongoing commitment to protecting public health and improving water quality for everyone who enjoys our beaches.

Inside the Effort to Protect Our Coastal Waters: A Visual Journey

Go behind the science with our team in this visual journal, documenting the research, collaboration, and ongoing efforts to better understand and protect Santa Monica Pier’s water quality.

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Want to learn more and stay connected? Support the frontline science, advocacy, and education that protect our coast, and follow along as we continue this important work.

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WILDFIRE AFTERMATH: IS OUR WATER SAFE?

Ash to Action Water

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles megafires, there is an increased risk of dangerous debris and pollutants reaching the Santa Monica Bay and its shoreline. Heal the Bay has been monitoring all incoming water quality data from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to determine any potential impact on human health.

UPDATE – NEW DATA COLLECTED ON MAY 1, 2025 – Results are consistent with previous sampling efforts (i.e. no exceedances of risk screening levels). Get the full update below.

What You Need to Know:

There are no existing guidelines to determine human health risk from swimming or surfing in the ocean after an urban fire. This makes it challenging to determine risk to public health from contaminants entering the bay from the burn areas. Heal the Bay used the EPA Risk Screening Tool to evaluate risks to public health.
- Recent water testing does not reveal any urgent, lethal threats. Data appears to be below the calculated risk-thresholds for human health.
- Acquiring missing data is key to ensuring safety. Previous data did not include testing for specific — and particularly concerning — types of arsenic and chromium: Inorganic Arsenic or Hexavalent Chromium (also known at Chromium-6), both of which can be harmful in lower concentrations.
- UPDATE: Hexavalent Chromium was included in the more recent testing, but Inorganic Arsenic was not. More details below.

Key Findings:

- Arsenic: All samples were analyzed for Total Arsenic, which is a combination of Organic Arsenic and Inorganic Arsenic.
  - Inorganic Arsenic is highly toxic but health impacts are most common with exposure from drinking water or contaminated foods.
  - Total Arsenic levels exceed the median background (i.e. pre-existing) concentration (1.490 µg/L), suggesting elevated levels potentially resulting from the fire.
  - UPDATE: Inorganic Arsenic was not included in the latest round of sampling by the LA Regional Water Board. Since our last post, we have been meeting with a group of toxicologists and public health experts. These toxicology experts do not believe testing for inorganic arsenic is warranted because inorganic arsenic is primarily hazardous when ingested; dermal contact is not considered a significant route of exposure under typical environmental conditions.
  - Heal the Bay continues to advocate for testing of inorganic arsenic. It will provide a more in-depth understanding of risk, and can also provide peace of mind for beach visitors.
- Chromium: The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board analyzed for Total Chromium, which includes Trivalent Chromium (an essential nutrient with no known health risks) and Hexavalent Chromium. While there is no human health risk threshold for Total Chromium, the risk threshold for Hexavalent Chromium is 0.1 µg/L.
  - Hexavalent Chromium, also known as Chromium 6, is usually produced by an industrial process, such as hardening alloy steel, and is known to cause cancer and can target the respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes.
  - Until now, water samples have only been tested for Total Chromium. Although Hexavalent Chromium was not specifically analyzed during that time, results consistently showed Not Detected (ND) for Total Chromium. However, the detection limit for Total Chromium was approximately 16 µg/L, while the median background concentration was only 0.37 µg/L. Thus, even if Hexavalent Chromium were present at harmful levels, it would go undetected.
  - In the May 1st samples, Hexavalent Chromium was tested for the first time, and results were reported as “Not Detected (ND)”. However, these results are inconclusive because the detection limit was not provided and the Reporting Limits were higher than the human health risk threshold for Hexavalent Chromium which is 0.1 µg/L. Without knowing how low the analytical method can detect, we cannot determine whether Hexavalent Chromium is below the risk threshold.
  - While we don’t have any information that would point to the likelihood of chromium in our coastal waters, Heal the Bay urges caution and recommends retesting all locations for Hexavalent Chromium using methods with detection limits below the risk threshold of 0.1 µg/L. Future testing should ensure methods are sensitive enough to detect concentrations below the human health risk threshold.
- Heal the Bay is planning to collect sand and water samples from three beaches with stormdrain outfalls, including Rustic Creek Outfall. We are reaching out to labs and will plan to include inorganic arsenic and hexavalent chromium.

What’s Next?

More Water Testing. Heal the Bay plans to conduct additional water quality testing and will provide updates when that data is available. Stay tuned.
Recommendations for new public health risk-thresholds for water contamination from climate disasters. Heal the Bay is part of the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Task Force, which is developing new guidelines for fire-related water quality monitoring efforts.

Keeping Yourself and Your Families Safe

Health risk appears to be low for people swimming and surfing in Santa Monica Bay, based on comparisons to risk-thresholds calculated using EPA’s risk-screening level calculator, and the currently available data.
Because we don’t have data on Inorganic Arsenic and debris removal is actively occurring along PCH, which can impact air quality and send debris into the water, we are advising the following precautions for the time being:
- - Avoid swimming and surfing within 250-yards of active debris removal. While the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) completed their debris removal in May, some properties opted out of this program and active debris removal by private contractors may still be occurring on properties between Carbon Beach and Topanga Creek.
  - Don’t enter the water for at least 72-hours after a rain event.
  - Keep an eye out for debris in the water.
  - Risk tolerance is a very personal decision, we are providing data to help inform your decisions.
  - Bacteria, unrelated to the fires, can still make people sick. Please check our Beach Report Card (or download our app on your iPhone or Android) for the latest bacteria data at your favorite West Coast beach.

How We Assessed Potential Risk

Heal the Bay used the EPA Risk-Screening Level Calculator to determine health risk from swimming and surfing.
- Tested scenario: 4 hours/day in water, 180 days/year, across all age groups (including infants).
We evaluated water quality data from various sites along Santa Monica Bay from Malibu to Malaga Cove collected by Heal the Bay scientists and Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board between January 27 and May 1, 2025.

Heal the Bay’s testing locations.

If you care about science-based research that protects our water, shores, and wildlife, please consider donating to Heal the Bay. Your support powers critical water quality investigations, strengthens community connections, and drives policy solutions for a more resilient Los Angeles.

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How Fires Impact Ocean Water Quality

Malibu / Pacific Palisades News Water Quality

The latest news about the Palisades fire and its impact on ocean-water quality and beach access in L.A. County.

During natural disasters, residents seek three things: community support, goodwill, and up-to-date information. To that end, Los Angeles County leaders invited Heal the Bay science and outreach staff to attend an emergency meeting Thursday morning at the Palisades Fire incident command center at Zuma Beach.

Department officials from L.A. County Fire and Beaches & Harbors asked Heal the Bay to help disseminate accurate updates to the public about how the catastrophic fires affect beach access and ocean water quality.

Here’s what we learned:

Stay away from burn zones and evacuated areas in the Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu areas.

Residents and those who love these areas are naturally curious about the status of homes, commercial structures, and favorite natural places. Command officials understand that people want to return to the areas as soon as possible. However, public safety dictates that fire and evacuation zones remain off-limits until emergency crews clear neighborhoods of downed power lines, roadway debris, lingering hot spots, and other hazards. Officials were unable to give a timetable for when residents may return or when PCH will reopen, but a brief tour by Heal the Bay staff indicates it will be weeks until residents can go back.

There is no public access to any L.A. County beaches in the fire or evacuation zones, roughly north of the Santa Monica Pier to County Line.

If you are a surfer looking to score empty waves, don’t even think about it. Multiple National Guard checkpoints are in place, ensuring that only emergency responders, utility workers, media, and essential workers are allowed on PCH. If you think you might be able to talk your way past checkpoints to tour impacted areas, you are mistaken. All beach parking lots from Will Rogers to Zuma are unavailable to the public, as they are being used as staging areas for emergency crews. All other beaches in L.A. County remain open to the public. But caution is urged, given compromised air quality along County shorelines.

Avoid water contact at any beaches from Malibu’s Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach near LAX.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an ocean advisory that warns residents to avoid any water contact at these beaches. The firestorms and efforts to beat them down have created massive amounts of runoff, which may contain toxic chemicals and dangerous debris. All that polluted water eventually sloughs off to the Bay. The advisory will remain in effect until three days after fire-fighting operations end.

As of Thursday morning, the Palisades Fire was only 22% contained. Heal the Bay has not determined yet if the County’s Public Health unit will be posting warning signs at impacted beaches. To view a map of impacted locations and get more information, click here. We advise the public to visit Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card to get updated information on beaches, as well as the Department of Public Health to learn about the latest water-quality details.

Water quality testing of local beaches will continue at sites that are still accessible to sampling agencies.

Water quality samples for fecal indicator bacteria are collected and tested by three government agencies every week at 85 sites in Los Angeles County. Once the results have been processed (after 24 hours), the public is notified when a beach exceeds pollution standards by warnings, advisories, or closures of the affected beaches. These weekly samples form the basis of Heal the Bay’s weekly A-to-F Beach Report Card.

Due to the fires, access to some beaches has been restricted, and some water-quality sampling has been interrupted until further notice. However, local departments will continue their testing to the best of their ability, including many of the 41 beaches where the Department of Public Health has advised beach users to avoid water contact—assuming these sites remain accessible in the weeks to come.

Water quality testing needs to expand beyond monitoring fecal bacteria to include testing for heavy metals, PCBs, nitrates, and other harmful compounds.

Water quality degradation following a fire varies greatly depending on the intensity and duration of the fire and the characteristics of the affected ecosystem. One of the primary effects is the alteration of vegetation coverage, which reduces the natural barriers that slow water runoff after a storm event. This leads to increased soil erosion and sediment transportation into nearby water bodies.

Rainfall can exacerbate these effects by compacting the soil and increasing overland flow, amplifying erosion and pollutant transport. With many homes, businesses, cars, and other manufactured items burning so close to the coast, we are particularly concerned about sediment, trash, and debris washing into the ocean.

During our tour, Heal the Bay staff saw hundreds of burned-out structures on the ocean side of PCH, with high tide waves surging within feet of the twisted, charred wreckage. Sediment can contain high levels of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen that, in excess, are harmful to marine ecosystems and can create algal blooms. They may also contain chemicals, heavy metals, and other harmful substances that burned in the fires. Recent reports indicate that the presence of so much plastic in modern homes has significantly contributed to more toxic infernos.

~~Heal the Bay does not have the capacity to conduct any water quality testing aside from compiling bacterial data and informing the public when it is safe to enter the water.~~ UPDATE 1/30/2025

On January 24, 2025, the Heal the Bay Science and Policy Team began testing water in and out of the burn zones along Santa Monica Bay impacted by the Palisades Fire.

Not only did we test for bacteria and turbidity (which we can process in-house), but we also collected samples to test for Heavy metals, Mercury, PAHs/PCBs, Benzene, and PFOS/PFOA (two types of PFAS). We collected samples before and after the rain event on January 26, 2025, which will provide a comparative analysis of initial pollutant levels and stormwater runoff effects.

We strongly urge the County of L.A. and any other municipalities to test for the presence of additional contaminants, such as heavy metals, PCBs, nitrates, and other unhealthy compounds. These pollutants can be harmful to humans and aquatic species, and given the extensive firefighting that has occurred directly adjacent to the coastline, these pollutants will be present for months to come.

In the interview below with USA Today, Annelisa Moe, Associate Director of Science, Policy, and Water Quality, discusses some of the long-term risks to coastal ecosystems and water quality.

We will continue to provide water quality information each week on the BRC website, so beach users and freshwater recreational users can make informed decisions.

Note: We will continue to consult with County officials on a daily basis to update this post. We will send alerts on our social media platforms when we receive new information about water quality, public health and beach access.

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Commit to Conservation Part 3: Solutions to California’s Water Supply – It’s All About Infrastructure

California California Drought News

California’s major infrastructure was built in the 20th century, but neither our laws nor conveyance systems were designed to address the challenges faced by climate change in the 21st century. Here’s everything you need to know about that infrastructure from the Heal the Bay Climate Action Team in Part 3 of our 3-part series, Commit to Conservation.

In past blogs, we’ve broken down the drivers behind the California drought and types of actions that make a real difference as we work to close the large and growing gap between the water we use and the water made available by nature. Even with the recent deluge of snow, torrential rains, and resulting flooding, precipitation was insufficient in permanently reversing the drought. The good news is that we have the technology we need for reliable drinking water and Heal the Bay is actively championing projects that will move us toward a more resilient and equitable future.

BACKGROUND

Water systems in California were designed based on historic patterns of precipitation that are being altered by climate change, but the primary cause of water scarcity in our region is not climate – it’s governance. Rights to our State’s water supply go all the way back to the 19th century, and our major infrastructure was built in the 20th century, and neither our laws nor conveyance systems were designed to address the challenges faced by climate change in the 21st century. The good news is that the potential for bolstering local water sources and supply in Southern California is enormous, and there are already plans and policies underway to make Los Angeles more resilient! And we believe in the idea of a “One Water” approach, which prioritizes investments in demand management and new supplies based on reliability, affordability, equity, public health, and environmental impacts.

ACHIEVING WATER RESILIENCY THROUGH CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY

Conservation and efficiency are two important tools when considering water use in a time of drought.

Conservation involves the conscious choice to change an action, like watering your lawn only one day a week instead of every day. While efficiency means taking the same actions as before but using less water (usually with the help of technology), for example, adding water-efficient showerheads to your bathrooms.

We talk a lot about water conservation and efficiency as strategies that the people of Los Angeles can take to help ensure that every on California can have access to safe clean water as that need increases. Reducing demand is often the cheapest and fastest way to close the large and growing gap between supply and demand. Saving water also helps save energy. In fact, a study by UC Davis revealed that during the 2015 drought, Californians saved more energy through water savings than all the energy efficiency programs combined. And when individuals actively choose to use less water, it makes a remarkable difference in water availability for everyone. Technology already exists that could save up to 1 trillion gallons a year statewide and the greatest potential for water savings exists right here in the South Coast Region, owing in part to the sheer potential of people (9.86 million in LA County alone) who could improve their water efficiency. To help encourage communities to use water more efficiently, the State Water Resources Control Board is working on a rulemaking to establish unique water efficiency budgets for each urban water supplier in California under a broader water resilience framework to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life”.

The greatest potential for water saving and new supply exists in the South Coast Region, which includes Los Angeles County. From The Untapped Potential of California’s Urban Water Supply: Water Efficiency, Water Reuse, and Stormwater Capture, published by the Pacific Institute in April 2022.

Barriers to increasing water efficiency include:

1) Water efficiency rebate programs that are often not accessible to low-income households because they require customers to purchase new appliances first and then wait several weeks (or more) for a rebate;

2) Water supplier revenues tied to how much water they sell, so there is a disincentive to invest in programs that reduce sales, and

3) Water suppliers won’t pay nearly as much for saved water as they will for new water.

Heal the Bay and our partners are working with our local water suppliers to implement solutions to these challenges, including:

Improving access to water efficiency programs by advocating for state and federal funding for programs that provide direct installation of new plumbing fixtures, appliances, and landscapes for income qualifying customers.
Advocating for water agencies to adopt water rates that incentivize improved efficiency while also allowing water suppliers to recover fixed costs, like the budget-based rates used by Irvine Ranch Water District and Western Municipal Water District.
Increasing the return on investment by advocating for water agencies to leverage the energy savings embedded in water savings to co-fund rebate programs with energy utilities.

CAPTURING STORMWATER – Waste Not, Want Not

Unlike wastewater, most stormwater in Los Angeles is not treated nor cleaned before it reaches our rivers and ocean. Our current stormwater infrastructure was built to protect against flooding, but when rain comes, the first flush of water from urbanized areas sweeps up trash and other contaminants which flow through our storm drains, dumping polluted water directly into our waterways, beaches, and ocean. Capturing LA’s rainwater offers opportunities to improve water quality in rivers and the ocean and at least triple the amount of stormwater captured for water supply (currently around 33 billion gallons per year).

The architects of the archaic system could not have foreseen the impacts of accommodating large population increases and ensuing development let alone a future of climate change and drought. They viewed water through a very different lens as something to control because it was a flooding danger rather than an integral resource and the lifeblood of ecosystems. Since 1985, Heal the Bay has seen first-hand the symptoms and impacts of stormwater contamination on our beaches and ocean as our volunteers and staff pick up thousands of pounds of trash each year. In fact, our Beach Report Card predictably downgrades our beaches after each rainstorm, and therefore, swimmers should consider staying out of coastal waters for at least 3 days after a rain event.

If we utilize natural solutions for stormwater capture, we could get even more benefits like carbon sequestration, cooler temperatures, recreational opportunities, and so much more. Heal the Bay works with the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board to track action under the Regional Stormwater Permit and has also engaged with a local dedicated source of funding as Watershed Coordinators for the Safe, Clean Water Program. One good example of this is our project at Inell-Woods Park, which will be located in South Los Angeles, in a neighborhood that lacks green space within the Compton Creek Watershed. The objective is to use native plants to reduce long-term potable water requirements and capture and treat stormwater to irrigate the park.

Stormwater Capture Projects: a) The Oxford Retention Basin Regional Stormwater Capture Project, b) The Ladera Park Stormwater Improvements Project, c) a rain garden in The Elmer Avenue Neighborhood Retrofit Project. Photos by Annelisa Moe/Heal the Bay.

SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT – A Huge Underutilized Opportunity

One element you need for successful stormwater infiltration projects is clean groundwater. Here in the Los Angeles area, groundwater reservoirs offer vast natural water storage potential. And while they are heavily regulated to avoid over-pumping, much of this water is contaminated from historical industrial pollution. So, in recent years, groundwater has only made up about 10% of local water supply. Groundwater remediation, therefore, offers removal of pollution that is currently underlying communities, a boost for subsurface ecosystem health, and an increase in local water supply, as long as these stores are also regularly refilled by other local water sources. Across LA County, there are roughly 5.8 billion gallons of available unused groundwater storage space where we can store recycled wastewater and captured stormwater for future use; and if we do not use this storage space, the ground could compact, actually removing that storage potential.

In addition to some groundwater being polluted, we also have aquifers that are salty. Desalination can be used to clean up salty groundwater, and that process is safer, less expensive, and less energy intensive than ocean water desalination. It also provides multiple benefits by removing salt from our groundwater and providing water supply.

SAFE WASTEWATER RECYCLING – Rinse and Repeat

Treated wastewater (water used indoors that gets cleaned to a high standard at a wastewater treatment facility) has traditionally been discharged to the ocean or rivers, which is a hugely missed opportunity because that water can be used again to reduce our dependence on imported drinking water. We currently reuse some of this water indirectly to recharge groundwater reservoirs, or directly for irrigation through the purple pipe system or recycled water fill stations, but we could be using more. In fact, California is finalizing regulations to allow for direct potable reuse, defined by the EPA as a “water recycling method that involves the treatment and distribution of water without an environmental buffer”. Although the concept has received some non-scientific skepticism along the way, it is actually very safe and is already in use around the world and even here in Southern California. Orange County’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is the world’s largest purification system providing treated water to near-distilled quality that is then piped to a location where it naturally seeps into a groundwater basin that provides about 70% of the potable water needs for 2.4 million OC residents.

Skeptical about drinking recycled water? Fun fact: Half of all water systems that serve more than 10,000 people provide de facto recycled water, or water that includes wastewater that was discharged from an upstream source. Purified recycled water is actually much cleaner than most supplies because of the extensive treatment and purification process that takes place at these advanced treatment facilities.

Many facilities in Southern California are already preparing their facilities to include direct potable reuse as a means to increase the use of recycled wastewater, including the Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Southern California Project, the Las Virgenes-Triunfo Pure Water Project, the City of Ventura Water Pure Project, and the City of LA’s Hyperion 2035 Project. Though it will take time and funding for these facilities to be fully operational, Heal the Bay has already visited some demonstration facilities as we continue to advocate for smart policies that ensure high quality water, as well as environmentally safe and sustainable practices.

The Las Virgenes-Triunfo Demonstration Facility turns wastewater into highly purified water that exceeds federal and state drinking water standards in 3 very high-tech steps: 1) Membrane Filtration, 2) Reverse Osmosis, and 3) Advanced Oxidation. At the end of the Demonstration Facility tour, guests can taste test the final product. Photos by Annelisa Moe/Heal the Bay.

DESALINATION – The Option of Last Resort

We regularly receive questions about the possibility of desalination. Click here to read 5 reasons to be wary of desalination. The takeaway is that it is extremely expensive, energy intensive, and environmentally harmful and should only be used when all other options have been exhausted.

SECURING LA’S WATER FUTURE

With limited resources to counter the myriad impacts of the climate crisis, we must prioritize cost-effective projects that maximize local water and offer multiple benefits to support thriving communities and ecosystems. With better access to water efficiency programs, a multi-benefit stormwater capture network, sustainable groundwater management, and increased use of safe water recycling, we can reduce our reliance on imported water.

Successful water resiliency work requires bringing together the variety of water agencies and governmental departments to work collaboratively for the shared benefits not only for the future of the Southlands but for California water resilience, as a whole. For two years, Heal the Bay has led this conversation by hosting a “One Water” symposium attended by water agency leaders that serves to drive momentum toward collaborative solutions for these major infrastructure projects. You can take part in Heal the Bay’s work as we continue to track all of these efforts and advocate for a holistic One Water approach to build a resilient water future for LA.

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Written by the Heal the Bay Science and Policy Department in Collaboration with the Climate Action Team. Leading a dynamic team of scientists, policy experts, outreach specialists, educators, and advocates in pursuit of its clean water mission.

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Commit to Conserve Part 2: Drought or Flood? – Water Supply in California

California Drought Take Action

Drought or flood?  Can both be true at the same time?  Yes, and here’s what you need to know with Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn in Part 2 of our 3-part series, Commit to Conservation.

RECENT DRAMATIC STORMS, known as atmospheric rivers, have caused major damage including flooding, mudslides, and sinkholes.  Up in the mountains, the California snowpack is 208% of average for this date and Mammoth Mountain is having its second snowiest January on record.  We are receiving record precipitation this year which can be good for our water supply but the drought is not over.  We know it is confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 3 things you need to know about water supply in CA.

Drought & Water Supply Recovery – 3 Limiting Factors

First, we started this year with a huge water deficit. About 40% of California’s water supply comes from groundwater and we have been over pumping our groundwater supplies for decades. When we don’t get enough surface water (i.e., rain and snowmelt that flows to our streams, rivers, and lakes), water users – mostly agriculture – use even more groundwater. And because 19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 2001, and groundwater has been largely unregulated in California, our groundwater supplies have significantly declined. In fact, in the last 100 years, California drained enough fresh water to provide every person on Earth with a 30-year supply of drinking water. According to the USGS, it would take about 50 years to naturally recharge our groundwater supplies.

As Charming Evelyn, Sierra Club Water Chair, explains above, we’ve pumped so much groundwater that the land has sunk – in some places over 28 feet. It’s a phenomenon called “subsidence.”

Second, we can’t be certain that our immense snowpack will translate to full reservoirs that will carry us through the summer and fall when we need it most. California gets about 30% of our water from the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains and our water system relies on the snow melting slowly over the spring and summer, filling reservoirs as water is discharged to meet the needs of our homes, businesses, and farms and leaving enough to get us through the fall until it rains and snows again. Unfortunately, climate change models have predicted, that we will now see early snowfall followed by unusually warm springs – in fact, this is what we saw last year. Between sublimation (snow evaporating off the mountain), overgrown forests with thirsty trees, and exceptionally dry soils, only a small fraction of our frozen reservoir (i.e., the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and Colorado Rocky Mountains) even reached the lakes and reservoirs that supply our statewide water system. The same may happen this year.

While we watch California reservoirs rebound after 2 decades of drought, Lake Mead on the Colorado River, where SoCal gets about 30% of its water, remains critically low. According to Brad Udall, a water and climate researcher at Colorado State University, we would need five or six years of 150% snowpack to refill Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the major reservoirs along the Colorado River. Brad says we have to continue to plan for the worst year, and we agree!

: Uncaptured stormwater flows into Santa Monica Bay after Winter rainfall. Source: Heal the Bay

: Ladera Park’s stormwater capture garden adds beauty to picnic area. By Bria Royal/Heal the Bay

Third, we’re not capturing all this rain. In the first three weeks of 2023, Los Angeles received over 8 inches of rain, which translates to about 568 billion gallons of water. Much of this water falls on impervious surfaces like roofs and streets, picks up pollutants from cars, pet waste, and trash and flows briskly to the nearest stormdrain and eventually out to the ocean. Recent investments helped us capture 33 billion gallons of this winter’s rainfall in Los Angeles County, but the majority of this precipitation is still flushing out to the ocean through stormdrains and rivers. Heal the Bay has been at the forefront, working to make sure we pursue new capture projects that offer multiple benefits through LA County’s Safe, Clean Water Program.

👉 Get involved: Learn more about the stormwater projects featured in this post.

Managing Water Supply and Usage

Now is not the time to take our foot off the accelerator when it comes to saving water. Every drop of water we save now is a drop that will be available to us for essential uses during the dry times ahead. And remember, saving water saves energy – especially if you are reducing your use of hot water. So using less water helps save money on your utility bills and helps fight climate change! Here are our top water saving tips you can do to create climate resilient communities.

Source: EPA.gov

1. Install a FLUME device. Flume is a product that you can easily install on your water meter that sends water use data straight to your phone and can even alert you to a leak. According to the EPA, Americans lose 1 TRILLION gallons of water through household leaks each year. Right now, LADWP customers can get a FLUME device for just $24 (plus tax). Get personalized information on how you can save water right from an app on your phone!

2. Transform your thirsty turf landscape into a beautiful native garden. Did you know that the number one irrigated crop in America is turf grass? In Los Angeles, 50% to 70% of our drinking water (most of which we transport from hundreds of miles away) is used to irrigate landscapes, mostly grass that isn’t suitable for our climate. Right now LADWP customers can get up to $25,000 to remove the turf grass around their home. What can you do? Sign up for the rebate, remove your “non-functional turf” and replace it with a landscape that captures stormwater, maintains healthy soils, and is full of native plants to reduce your home’s irrigation demands:

A bioswale can capture water for home landscaping. Photo by Tracy Quinn/Heal the Bay

- Connect your roof gutters to a rain barrel or bioswale and grade your landscape to capture the rain that falls on your property instead of letting it run into the street. This also prevents pollution like dirt and oils from cars and pet waste from reaching our rivers and beaches.
- Maintain healthy soils because they retain more water. Healthy soils also capture and store carbon helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Plant native plants, which, in addition to benefiting your water supply, can help maintain SoCal’s incredible biodiversity by providing food and shelter for birds, bees, and butterflies. This is especially important as our planet is currently facing a mass extinction event because human activity has reduced natural habitats. Find locally appropriate native plants here in Los Angeles at Theodore Payne Nursery.

💬 ASK THE EXPERTS: Should I replace my grass with artificial turf? Short answer – No! Artificial turf is usually made from plastic, prevents insects from digging and aerating soils, pollutes the soils underneath it and the water that runs over it, and can contribute to extreme heat issues. For even more reasons to avoid it, check out this article.

The Westwood Neighborhood Greenway is maintained by volunteers who restore native plant species near the Westwood/Rancho Park E Line station in support of local biodiversity. Photo by Bria Royal/Heal the Bay

3. Start a water-wise lifestyle trend in shared living spaces. Not a homeowner? Not a problem! Whether you’re renting an apartment or living in a student dorm, there are still plenty of daily actions we can all take to use less water. Check out more water savings tips for shared living spaces. And never underestimate the power of collective action. You can talk to your neighbors about the benefits of native landscaping, and collectively approach your landlord to request that they replace the turf in your complex. Suggestions from several tenants along with enticing rebates could sway your landlord and land you with some beautiful new outdoor vistas.

💥#Commit2ConserveChallenge: Once you’re ready to take action, download the Dashboard.Earth app for step by step guides, links to rebated materials, and an easy-to-use checklist curated by Heal the Bay and Metropolitan Water District. With our ONE Water Pledge, you can begin tracking your progress in managing your home’s water supply and usage. Then, share your progress on social media to spread the word.

ACTION LINK(S)

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HEAL THE BAY DROUGHT PORTAL

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Written by Tracy Quinn. Leading a dynamic team of scientists, policy experts, outreach specialists, educators, and advocates in pursuit of its clean water mission, Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn is responsible for setting new science and policy goals, expanding Heal the Bay Aquarium as the premier marine science education destination in Southern California, and increasing community action throughout Greater LA. Tracy has dedicated her life to improving water quality in our rivers and ocean and ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable water for all Californians.

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Marking 50 Years of the Clean Water Act

News Plastic Pollution Water Quality

The Clean Water Act revolutionized water protection law and has resulted in multiple cleanup success stories. However, as of March 2022, the goals of the Clean Water Act are not being met, and there is still much work to be done to achieve fishable, swimmable, drinkable water across the US.

LIVING IN A WATER-SCARCE region like Southern California, I hear this a lot: Water is life! And more than that, the quality of water affects the quality of life for humans, the environment, ecosystems, and, of course, the waters themselves. The US federal government recognized this decades ago, and created the first major federal law in the US to address water pollution, called the 1948 Federal Water Pollution Control Act. However, this policy was ineffective owing to a lack of oversight and enforceability. Public pressure following a series of environmental plights (including the Cuyahoga River catching on fire) forced the US to reconsider its approach, leading to the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) Amendment. This amendment, among many upgrades, gave the EPA more regulatory control to enforce clean water requirements and achieve swimmable, fishable, drinkable water.

PHOTO: The Cuyahoga River on fire due to high amounts of flammable pollution in the water. Credit: Cleveland State University, Michael Schwartz Library, Special Collections

The CWA protects areas designated as Waters of the US (WOTUS) including streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands. Waters of the US are designated with various beneficial uses such as water supply, navigation, recreation, fishing, habitat, etc. In California, new designation categories are being added now for Tribal Cultural and Subsistence Fishing beneficial uses. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, which reports to the EPA, enforces the federal Clean Water Act locally by determining the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of pollution that a waterway can handle while still supporting its beneficial uses, and then regulating discharge to stay below that contamination limit. For more information on the structure of the CWA, check out Heal the Bay’s Clean Water Act Knowledge Drop.

Initially, the CWA aimed to achieve pollution-free waters by 1985. Unfortunately, that goal was not met. While this innovative water protection law has resulted in a number of water quality success stories, there is still much work to be done. In fact, as of March 2022, about half of US waterways remain impaired. According to a report from the Environmental Integrity Project, California unfortunately ranked first in the US for most river and stream miles listed as impaired for drinking water, and third for fish consumption.

a) b)

Maps of (a) California and (b) the Los Angeles Region, showing impaired waterways in dark green and unimpaired waterways in light green. Available at: California 2020-2022 Integrated Report

The Los Angeles Region alone has 210 total waterways listed as impaired by pollution in 2022, and since many of those waterways are impaired for more than one pollutant, there are a total of 877 listings in LA. Fifty-four of these listings are related to trash pollution, even though LA was one of the first regions to adopt “zero trash” regulations.

Santa Monica Bay is one of the waterways of LA listed as impaired by trash pollution and the Bay, along with the watersheds that drain into it and the beaches that line it, need care, protection, and advocacy. On Saturday, October 15, 2022, 366 Heal the Bay volunteers took to Will Rogers State Beach, just north of Santa Monica, for one of the biggest Nothin’ But Sand Beach cleanups of the year. In just under two hours, over 145lbs of trash were cataloged and removed from the shore. Thank you to all our volunteers who came out to help keep our precious coastline clean.

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PHOTO SET: Hundreds of volunteers support Heal the Bay’s October Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup in honor of the Clean Water Act 50 Year Anniversary. A special thanks to our cleanup sponsors Subaru and Audacy. Photos by Bria Royal / Heal the Bay

PHOTO: Heal the Bay staff member, Forest Leigh, inspecting trash pollution after a first flush event. Photo by Katherine Pease / Heal the Bay

Despite the remaining pollution in our waters, the Supreme Court is considering changes to the definition of WOTUS, which could leave many waters unprotected under the CWA. But there are also many folks working hard towards swimmable, fishable, drinkable water for all. The EPA rereleased its 2022-2032 Vision for achieving CWA goals. The 2022-2023 Vision aims to maximize coordination through partnerships to plan and prioritize opportunities for holistic watershed protection, restoration, and data analysis; and it includes new focus areas for environmental justice, climate change, tribal water quality, and program development, as well as an increase to overall program capacity. Heal the Bay and other NGOs will continue to advocate for water quality projects and comprehensive and science-based water quality regulation under the CWA.

50 years after the Clean Water Act was established, California’s waterways still need the protection and attention of all those who can help. Discover all the ways you can make an impact. Register to attend Heal the Bay Volunteer Orientation and help us make strides for the next 50 years.

ACTION LINK(S)

MORE CLEANUP EVENTS

BREAK FREE FROM PLASTIC CELEBRATION

Written by Annelisa Moe. As a Heal the Bay Water Quality Scientist, Annelisa helps to keep L.A. water clean and safe by advocating for comprehensive and science-based water quality regulation and enforcement. Before joining the team at Heal the Bay, she worked with the Regional Water Quality Control Board in both the underground storage tank program and the surface water ambient monitoring program.

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Los Angeles County Teams up With Heal the Bay to Keep Waterways Clean

More Ways to Give

Sponsor Spotlight: We’d like to send a huge wave of thanks to Heal the Bay’s featured Coastal Cleanup Day 2022 sponsor, Water for LA. Learn more about how Water for LA is empowering residents to be part of LA County’s water supply solution.

THE FUTURE of Los Angeles County depends on a water-literate public that understands how simple individual actions impact the complex networks that make up our water system and the health of our coast and waterways. Topics like recycled water, flood protection, water pollution, and conservation are important and should feel as accessible as discussing the latest Dodgers game.

The truth is we can no longer afford to take our water or our environment for granted. It took a monumental effort to grow this improbable metropolis out of our arid soil. We met that challenge, but we face new threats to the sustainability and success of Los Angeles.

Water for LA is a program to transform LA County residents from passive water consumers to empowered and informed water advocates dedicated to sustainability and health for all. This is why we are glad to sponsor Heal the Bay’s 2022 Coastal Cleanup Day events. Our team will be on site in Santa Monica supporting the clean up and providing more information to attendees about how they can make small changes to their water use that make a big impact.

As a trusted resource on all things water, Water for LA leads campaigns that educate the public and foster more sustainable behavior to help ensure the region’s future.

Our water goes through an epic journey to reach the taps in our homes—sometimes it travels far, moving across mountains and through miles of pipelines, and sometimes it goes through complex processes locally at our water recycling plants and through groundwater cleanup. And we each have our own journey with water. Water for LA’s 2022 campaign—My Journey with Water—identifies simple behaviors, such as sweeping your driveway instead of spraying it down, that we can each adopt to keep our beaches and waterways clean AND conserve water.

Water for LA envisions an LA County where residents understand and nurture their relationship with water—where it comes from, its connection to the rivers and lakes upstream, and how their actions impact their neighbors, region, ocean, and the planet.

Where else can we build a community of fierce water advocates? As the saying goes: only in LA.

ACTION LINK(S)

VISIT WATER FOR LA’S WEBSITE

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Sponsored by Water for LA. On Saturday, September 17, 2022, more than 4,583 Heal the Bay volunteers gathered across LA County to remove 11,298 pounds of trash and 313 pounds of recyclables from our watersheds, neighborhoods, and coastline. We’d like to send a huge wave of thanks to all of our Coastal Cleanup Day 2022 volunteers, organizers, and sponsors!

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Spring Into Action for Earth Month 2022

Events Santa Monica Bay

Earth Month is here and Heal the Bay is excited to celebrate all April long with in-person volunteer activities and hands-on training events, plus live virtual discussions and educational opportunities. Let’s learn and grow, go outside to do some good, and celebrate our amazing blue planet together because every day is Earth Day.

Individuals, households, schools, businesses, and community organizations are all invited to attend Heal the Bay’s Earth Month events. No special training or experience is required for any of our activities. Heal the Bay’s goal is to create that spark of inspiration so we can Spring Into Action for our coastal waters, rivers, creeks, and beaches in Los Angeles County.

Spring into the Climate Challenge – Virtual

ALL MONTH LONG Action

Take a deep dive into the climate impacts on our local coastal and marine ecosystems in our Spring Into Climate Action blog. We’ll discuss the coastal impacts of the climate crisis, the main sources of the pollution that is accelerating climate change, and what you can do about it. We are not powerless in this climate crisis. Small changes at home do add up, and individual action can also take the form of supporting the systemic changes we need. Together, our actions can make huge waves!

Act Now

Scroll down for our full calendar and event details on how to get involved.

Heal the Bay Earth Month 2022 Calendar of Special Events

Anti-Plastic Advocacy Happy Hour – Virtual

Thursday, April 7, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

Heal the Bay’s Plastics Initiative team is hosting an advocacy event to provide information about current state bills and local policies that address the enormous plastic pollution issue. Attendees can participate in reducing plastic pollution in LA County and California by completing specific actions! Registration in advance is required.

RSVP For Happy Hour

Volunteer Orientation Meetup – Virtual

Monday, April 11, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM PST

Get an introduction to Heal the Bay, our current issues, and how you can take part in our exciting volunteer programs. Founded on the principle that one person can make a difference, Heal the Bay has empowered thousands of volunteers to improve their environment, and now you can make a difference too. Our Orientation is ideal for those who want to learn more about how to take part in our beach, community science, and Aquarium programs. Registration in advance is required.

BioBlitz the Bay – In-person

Saturday, April 16, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM PST

Heal the Bay’s MPA Watch team is adventuring out to a Marine Protected Area for an early morning tidepool tour and bioblitz. Experts will instruct guests on how to safely observe and document wildlife while discovering more about local marine ecosystems. This event is an introduction to one of Heal the Bay’s most popular community science programs where volunteers take long walks on the beach to collect data and protect precious marine habitats. Registration in advance is required.

Earth Month Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup – In-person

Saturday, April 16, 10 AM – Noon PST

Our big Earth Month cleanup helps to ensure safe, clean, and healthy local beaches. This Nothin’ But Sand beach cleanup is a meaningful opportunity for volunteers to directly improve the condition of our beaches while enjoying the outdoors. Cleanup supplies are provided and speakers will share ocean pollution facts and safety talks for people of all ages.

This is our first Earth Month cleanup since 2019 – at that time, 1,072 volunteers picked up 271 pounds of trash and debris that would have otherwise entered our ocean. This year we are restricting capacity due to health and safety concerns from the pandemic. Please note: April’s cleanup location will be provided in a CONFIRMATION EMAIL after you complete the registration at Eventbrite.

If the event says it is SOLD OUT, you can still come! Please bring your own gloves and buckets to participate in the cleanup. For those of you who can’t register because it is sold out, we will announce the location on the Eventbrite page a few days before the cleanup, so check back then to find out where we will be.

Special perks for volunteers: Stay energized at our Earth Month Nothin’ But Sand cleanup in April with FREE coffee provided by Don Francisco’s coffee truck. Just by participating in the cleanup, 3 lucky volunteers will win free coffee for a year from Don Francisco.

A BIG thank you to our April Nothin’ But Sand Sponsors

Don Francisos

Amalfi Estates

Interactive Brokers

ARES Management

EarthDay.org

FREE Beach Wheelchair Rentals & Beach Exploration with Heal the Bay Aquarium – In-person

Saturday, April 16, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PST

Need a Beach Wheelchair to enjoy some fun in the sun? Everyone should be able to enjoy a day at the beach, so come to Heal the Bay Aquarium to access our manual, beach wheelchairs, available for FREE public rentals.

Once you’re on the shore, take part in the Earth Month Nothin’ But Sand Cleanup or join Heal the Bay Aquarium staff for a guided beach exploration to learn more about the California coast and the thriving ecosystems we strive to protect.

Pick Up Location Details

Heal the Bay’s Beach Wheelchair rental program helps provide accessibility to one of nature’s most inspiring and critically important resources, and was made possible thanks to funding from The Coastal Conservancy. Learn more about our Beach Wheelchair Rental Program: https://healthebay.org/beach-wheelchairs-santa-monica-pier/

Heal the Bay Aquarium Earth Month Celebration – In-person

Saturday, April 16, Noon – 4 PM PST

The award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium located at the Santa Monica Pier has programmed an afternoon filled with fun Earth Month activities. Featuring exciting exhibits and demonstrations, it’s a great way for the entire family to experience the Santa Monica Bay and observe the local animals that call it home.

Our Aquarium’s Earth Day schedule includes:

“Who Pollutes?” Dorothy Green Room Special Presentation – 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM
Saturday Sea Star Feedings – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Earth Day Story Time – 2:00 PM

Crafts, pollution displays, and short films will round out our afternoon of activities.

Visit Heal the Bay Aquarium

Heal the Bay Stream Team Live on Instagram – Virtual

Wednesday, April 20, 3:30 PM – 4 PM PST

Immerse yourself in the science of water quality without getting your feet wet. Dive into a live discussion on @healthebay Instagram with Heal the Bay’s Stream Team and learn about how to start your impactful journey into the world of environmental careers.

Follow HTB on Instagram

Heal the Bay Aquarium Live on Instagram – Virtual

Friday, April 22, at 1 PM PST

On Earth Day, Heal the Bay Aquarium will host an Instagram Live featuring our Under the Pier Exhibit. Virtual visitors can learn all about local animal species that live in the Santa Monica Bay, including the critically endangered giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas), and view live feeding demonstrations. Swim by @healthebayaquarium on Friday, April 22 at 1:00 PM PST, and “shell-ebrate” Earth Day with us.

Follow AQ on Instagram

Earth Day Beach Cleanup with Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi

Saturday, April 23, at 9 AM – 10:30 AM PST

Join Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi at Miramar Park for a Cleanup of Torrance Beach. Community members will have the chance to discuss environmental policy with the Assemblymember as well as meet with our local partners. Please check the weather in advance and dress appropriately. This event is supported by local partners including Heal the Bay, Grades of Green and the Sierra Club Palos Verdes-South Bay.

Get More Information

Community Educational Resource Fair at MacArthur Park Lakeside

Saturday, April 23, at 9 AM – 10:30 AM PST

LA Sanitation and partners are hosting an educational feria, or fair, full of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy while learning about the MacArthur Park’s upcoming improvements. Join in on Saturday, April 23rd for the latest updates on the MacArthur Lake Stormwater Capture Project and learn how this awesome initiative will benefit both the community and the environment. You’ll also have an opportunity to share your input regarding the in-progress project’s above-ground features. No registration is required for this public event on the park’s West side.

Learn More about the Project

Place, Power & Justice: Land Rematriation Now Panel – Virtual

Wednesday, April 27, 6:30pm – 7:30 pm PST

Jointly hosted and co-moderated by Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples and Heal the Bay in honor of Earth Month, the panel includes experts and activists in the Land/Water Back and Rematriation Movement. The panel will be held via Zoom and streamed to Facebook Live. And, follow us on Facebook for the latest updates. Registration for the Zoom is required in advance.

Attend the Panel

Gear Up for Earth Day with Heal the Bay

All Month Long

Nothing says Earth Day like swag from Heal the Bay. Use promo code EARTHLOVE for 10% off everything in the Heal the Bay online store from April 1 – April 30, 2022.

Shop the Bay

Make waves for a sustainable future in Greater Los Angeles, by making your Earth Month donation to Heal the Bay.

Inspire Local Youth: Your $25 gift can provide 1 student with a marine science education experience.
Tackle Toxic Plastics: Your $50 gift can train 2 volunteers to fight plastic pollution with strong advocacy.
Restore Our Rivers: Your $100 gift can underwrite 1 week of water quality monitoring in local freshwater spots
Protect Clean Water: Your $500 gift can fund campaigns to hold polluters accountable for pollutants in the Bay

DONATE

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Take our 2022 Challenge – Spring Into Climate Action

Climate Change

THE CALIFORNIA COASTLINE consists of various habitats including kelp forests, estuaries, wetlands, rocky reefs, and rocky intertidal zones (also known as tide pools). All of these habitats are vital natural resources that support thriving ecosystems, which in turn support healthy communities; provide economic and recreational value; and offer a natural form of climate resilience by dampening effects of sea level rise as well as absorbing the majority of our fossil fuel emissions and the extra heat as global temperatures rise.

“… to promote the public safety, health, and welfare, and to protect public and private property, wildlife, marine fisheries, and other ocean resources, and the natural environment, it is necessary to protect the ecological balance of the coastal zone and prevent its deterioration and destruction.” – CA Coastal Act

Oceans have served as a climate buffer for decades, but this has come at great cost because the climate crisis, accelerated by human activities, has altered the oceans’ natural processes. We see increasing ocean acidification, higher water temperatures, more frequent harmful algal blooms, disruption of ocean circulation, and rising sea levels that physically alter coastal habitats. In addition to these impacts from the climate crisis, stormwater pollution, plastic, and other contaminants affect our rivers, lakes, and ocean every day. Even now, in the 50th year of the Clean Water Act, half of US waters remain too polluted to serve their intended beneficial uses, such as water supply, recreation, habitat, and more.

For more information about local impacts, check out Heal the Bay’s 2021 Climate Change Aquarium Tour where our Senior Education Manager, Kelly Kelly, explains the climate impacts on the coastal and intertidal habitats of the Santa Monica Bay.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Heal the Bay (@healthebay)

@healthebay – Climate Change Aquarium Tour

In spite of all of these destructive impacts, our coastal and marine ecosystems persist. Without even having to get into the water, we can observe this incredible resilience within intertidal ecosystems. Tide pool habitat conditions shift throughout the day as the tides rise and fall, from exposure to dry air and UV radiation, to complete submergence in ocean water. The organisms that live in these habitats have evolved to thrive under constantly changing conditions – dry vs. wet, hot vs. cold, exposed to land-based predators vs. not, and fluctuations in salinity as well. They may even survive as sea level rises, but only if they are given enough time to adapt, and enough room to move up shore. That part is up to us. If we drastically reduce our fossil fuel emissions, and even work to draw carbon back out of the atmosphere with nature-based solutions, we can slow climate change enough to allow for adaptation within these coastal ecosystems, as well as in our own human communities through practices such as managed retreat and protection through living shorelines. Slowing the rate of climate change will take immense and immediate action.

Take the Climate Challenge

We know that that majority of fossil fuel emissions (71%, in fact!) are from big corporations and extraction operations. But we are not powerless in this climate crisis. Individual action adds up and provides us with a daily reminder of why this fight matters. Beyond that, individual action can also take the form of supporting the systemic change and resilient policies that we need to tackle the biggest sources of emissions. Whether you have money, time, creativity, passion, or something else entirely your own, we all have a unique role that we can play. You can start with small changes at home, or do your part for critical systemic change by signing petitions or calling political representatives. Together, our actions can make huge waves.

Get involved this weekend by joining Heal the Bay’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Watch team for an early morning tide pool tour and bioblitz – a biological survey recording the species living within a designated area — to document the current state of this critical intertidal ecosystem.

Want to do more? Consider the skills, experiences, and resources you have to offer and create a personal list of climate actions. Spring into Action today by doing one thing on this list, and then use that momentum to do what you can, when you can, with what you have all year long.

Here are some ideas to choose from to get you started with your personalized climate challenge…

Where We Live

Pick up trash around your neighborhood 
Ditch single-use plastic and switch to reusables at home
Refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle our waste – yes the order matters!
Remove any hardscape or lawn on your property and replace it with a vegetable garden or drought tolerant native vegetation
Start or join a community garden
Sign up for Green Power if you live in the City of LA, or opt into 100% renewable energy if your city is part of the Clean Power Alliance
Reduce your energy needs
- Turn off lights, unplug unused electronics, and swap out old lights with LEDs (once the bulbs burn out)
- Bring in a professional to insulate your home, or find simple swaps around the house like adding thick curtains around your windows
- Set your thermostat for maximum energy (and cost) savings, or regulate temperature without a thermostat by opening/closing windows and using those thick curtains
- Wash clothes in cold water, and hang dry rather than using the dryer
Decrease your water usage
- Take shorter showers
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
- Audit your household water footprint

How We Commute

Telecommute if it is an option
Choose public transportation
Walk or skateboard for shorter distances
Ride a bicycle
Support projects that improve access to alternative and active transportation 
If you must drive…
- Carpool
- Invest in a hybrid or electric vehicle
- Use car sharing services with electric vehicles
- Make sure your vehicle is in tiptop shape for optimal efficiency (secure gas cap, inflate tires, etc.)

What We Eat

Consider a plant-based diet
- Start by eating one vegan meal each day
Reduce food waste
- Eat your leftovers
- “Vote” with your wallet to support regenerative agriculture or community-supported agriculture. 
Compost at home or sign up for composting services
Support sustainable seafood
Patron environmentally friendly restaurants and businesses

What We Learn

Educate yourself, your family, friends, and community
Watch Heal the Bay’s Climate Reality Knowledge Drop
Get trained as a Climate Reality Leader
Check out The Nature Conservancy’s Carbon Footprint Calculator to understand your carbon footprint
Put climate change books in little libraries around your neighborhood
Start a Heal the Bay club at your high school
Follow climate change activists on social media
Listen to scientists and keep tabs on their latest research
Empower students and the next generation with tools
Request a Speaker’s Bureau climate talk for your school or organization
Sign up for a Suits on the Sand climate event for your business or group

How We Vote

Vote in local, statewide and national elections!
Support just and equitable environmental policies in support of:  
- Climate resiliency
- A tax on carbon
- The end of fossil fuels
- Regenerative agriculture
- Renewable energy
- A reduction in plastic waste
Be an advocate
- Attend and give public comments at local Agency, City Council, or County Board of Supervisor meetings 
- Send a letter to your representatives so they know climate action is important to you, because they may represent you on the global stage (COP26)
- Participate in public demonstrations and rallies with groups like Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles
- Sign petitions
- Create climate inspired art and share it with the world

Join existing efforts by Heal the Bay and partner groups to demand climate action now 
- Get involved with STAND-L.A. to Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling
- Get involved with VISION against oil in neighborhoods
- Advocate for the restoration of Ballona Wetlands 
- Join Reusable LA and fight plastic pollution
- Urge LA County Board of Supervisors to Vote Yes on Plastic Foodware Ordinance
- Become a member of  OurWaterLA in support of smart water
- Volunteer with Heal the Bay

Questions about any of these possible actions?  Contact Annelisa Moe here at Heal the Bay for more information or support in your advocacy work!

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Search Results for: ash to action water

Looking for more than water quality? Find more Ash to Action Updates HERE.

SEE OUR THE LATEST POST-FIRE WATER QUALITY UPDATES:

Post-fire ocean advisories were just lifted, but is it finally safe to swim in the coastal waters?

Heal the Bay’s post-fire water quality data and analysis is live!

Watch the Webinar on the most recent Ash to Action updates

Read our analysis of the LACDPH & RWQCB data (part 2).

Our analysis of the LA County Department of Public Health post-fire water quality data is live.

Learn about beach safety in the wake of the fires.

In late January, Heal the Bay’s staff scientists began collecting ocean-water samples from 10 shoreline sites along the Bay to test for heavy metals, PCBs, asbestos, and other toxins. See our water quality testing timeline

Our fire response has just begun.

UPDATE APRIL 10, 2025

UPDATE MARCH 27, 2025

UPDATE MARCH 25, 2025

Watch the Webinar for today’s latest Heal the Bay Ash to Action Updates.

UPDATE MARCH 13, 2025

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has released its 2025 Post-Fire Water Quality Monitoring results.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Post-Fire Water Quality in Santa Monica Bay: We reviewed results from the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH).

UPDATE FEBRUARY 26, 2025

UPDATE FEBRUARY 18, 2025

UPDATE JANUARY 29, 2025

Solving the Santa Monica Pier’s Water Quality Mystery for a Cleaner Future at One of L.A.’s Most Iconic Shorelines

Why the Pier Matters

Why This Matters for Public Health

A Different Kind of Collaboration

The Science Is Already Underway

What the Task Force Will Do

Inside the Effort to Protect Our Coastal Waters: A Visual Journey

What You Need to Know:

What’s Next?

Keeping Yourself and Your Families Safe

How We Assessed Potential Risk

If you care about science-based research that protects our water, shores, and wildlife, please consider donating to Heal the Bay. Your support powers critical water quality investigations, strengthens community connections, and drives policy solutions for a more resilient Los Angeles.

The latest news about the Palisades fire and its impact on ocean-water quality and beach access in L.A. County.

Stay away from burn zones and evacuated areas in the Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu areas.

There is no public access to any L.A. County beaches in the fire or evacuation zones, roughly north of the Santa Monica Pier to County Line.

Avoid water contact at any beaches from Malibu’s Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach near LAX.

Water quality testing of local beaches will continue at sites that are still accessible to sampling agencies.

Water quality testing needs to expand beyond monitoring fecal bacteria to include testing for heavy metals, PCBs, nitrates, and other harmful compounds.

Drought or flood? Can both be true at the same time? Yes, and here’s what you need to know with Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn in Part 2 of our 3-part series, Commit to Conservation.

Drought & Water Supply Recovery – 3 Limiting Factors

As Charming Evelyn, Sierra Club Water Chair, explains above, we’ve pumped so much groundwater that the land has sunk – in some places over 28 feet. It’s a phenomenon called “subsidence.”

Managing Water Supply and Usage

Source: EPA.gov

The Westwood Neighborhood Greenway is maintained by volunteers who restore native plant species near the Westwood/Rancho Park E Line station in support of local biodiversity. Photo by Bria Royal/Heal the Bay

The Clean Water Act revolutionized water protection law and has resulted in multiple cleanup success stories. However, as of March 2022, the goals of the Clean Water Act are not being met, and there is still much work to be done to achieve fishable, swimmable, drinkable water across the US.

PHOTO: The Cuyahoga River on fire due to high amounts of flammable pollution in the water. Credit: Cleveland State University, Michael Schwartz Library, Special Collections

Maps of (a) California and (b) the Los Angeles Region, showing impaired waterways in dark green and unimpaired waterways in light green. Available at: California 2020-2022 Integrated Report

PHOTO SET: Hundreds of volunteers support Heal the Bay’s October Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup in honor of the Clean Water Act 50 Year Anniversary. A special thanks to our cleanup sponsors Subaru and Audacy. Photos by Bria Royal / Heal the Bay

Sponsor Spotlight: We’d like to send a huge wave of thanks to Heal the Bay’s featured Coastal Cleanup Day 2022 sponsor, Water for LA. Learn more about how Water for LA is empowering residents to be part of LA County’s water supply solution.

ALL MONTH LONG Action

Heal the Bay Earth Month 2022 Calendar of Special Events

Thursday, April 7, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

Monday, April 11, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM PST

Saturday, April 16, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM PST

Saturday, April 16, 10 AM – Noon PST

Saturday, April 16, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM PST

Saturday, April 16, Noon – 4 PM PST

Wednesday, April 20, 3:30 PM – 4 PM PST

Friday, April 22, at 1 PM PST

Saturday, April 23, at 9 AM – 10:30 AM PST

Saturday, April 23, at 9 AM – 10:30 AM PST

Wednesday, April 27, 6:30pm – 7:30 pm PST

All Month Long

Here are some ideas to choose from to get you started with your personalized climate challenge…

Where We Live

How We Commute

What We Eat

What We Learn

How We Vote

Drought or flood?  Can both be true at the same time?  Yes, and here’s what you need to know with Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn in Part 2 of our 3-part series, Commit to Conservation.