This summer, beachgoers have faced a one-two punch: record-breaking heat waves and an alarming number of beach closures due to poor water quality. As rising temperatures push people to seek refuge by the shore, they’re increasingly met with “Beach Closed” signs. These closures have become a nationwide phenomenon, with beaches from San Diego to New York shutting down due to elevated bacteria levels, driven by industrial discharges and untreated sewage. These closures don’t just disrupt vacation plans—they signal a larger, more urgent environmental crisis.
Pollution: Industrial Discharge is Largely to Blame
At the heart of these closures is water pollution, particularly from industrial activities. Industrial discharges release toxic substances like heavy metals and solvents into our waterways, posing a grave threat to both human health and marine life. A stark reminder of this was the 2022 sewage spill in Carson, California, which led to widespread beach closures across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Despite regulations, gaps in monitoring and enforcement allow dangerous pollutants to slip through the cracks, contaminating the very resources we rely on.
The Economic Ripple Effect
The impact of beach closures extends beyond health concerns. Coastal communities suffer economically, as these closures deter tourists and hurt local businesses. The loss of tourism revenue is a significant blow, especially in areas that rely heavily on summer visitors. The cascading effects on local economies underscore the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of water pollution.
Authorities and Public Pressure on Polluters
Authorities and the public are increasingly coming down hard on polluters, imposing fines and causing reputational damage. For example, California has faced several beach closures due to contaminants and bacteria detected at dangerous levels. According to the Surfrider Foundation’s 2023 Clean Water Report, bacteria levels can increase when contaminated runoff enters the ocean after significant rainfall or untreated sewage is released into the water.
“Sewage spills and infrastructure failures release over 900 billion gallons of untreated sewage into surface waters every year.” – Surfrider Foundation Report, 2023
A multimillion-gallon sewage spill in Carson in 2022 led to the closure of all beaches in Long Beach, among others in Los Angeles County and Orange County. According to the Natural Resource Compliance and Enforcement Database, during 2013, in British Columbia, Canada, there was a total of $241,000 in such penalties and by 2022, the amount had grown to $3.86 million, according to an analysis by Postmedia of administrative penalties issued by provincial and federal regulators.
In addition to sewage wastewater causing beach closure due to pollution, industrial runoff contains PFAS (or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances known as “forever chemicals). Referred to as “one of the strongest compounds in organic chemistry; one that has proved to be resistant to heat, water, oil, and time,” by the National Institute of Health, PFAs are linked to various cancers, liver and kidney complications, and birth defects, among other things. A recent University of Stokholm study found that PFAS accumulates at extremely high levels in sea foam, which occurs in coastal areas, and impacts both surface environments as well as groundwater sources. The risk of PFAS to health and economies has led to both California and Maine passing new legislation banning PFAS food production, textiles, and more.
Time for Action: Protecting Our Shores
Preventing future closures and protecting our beaches requires a multifaceted approach moving forward. Municipal reforms, technological innovation, and community involvement are key to tackling the pollution problem head-on.
- Smarter Stormwater Management: Investing in advanced stormwater systems can significantly reduce runoff pollution. Techniques like permeable pavements, green roofs, and rain gardens help absorb and filter rainwater, preventing harmful substances from reaching our oceans and beaches.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Technological solutions are essential for effective water management. Tools like Cority’s Environmental Cloud streamline the monitoring and management of pollution data, allowing for quick, proactive responses to potential environmental threats. These innovations not only help prevent beach closures but also enhance compliance with environmental regulations.
- Enhanced Recycling Programs: By improving waste management, particularly through robust recycling initiatives, we can reduce the amount of waste entering our water systems. Communities that prioritize recycling see a marked decrease in the pollutants that end up in their local water bodies.
A prime example of the power of technology in water management is Eversource Energy’s collaboration with Cority. By using Cority’s software, Eversource streamlined its spill response processes across three states, cutting down response time by 66 hours. This efficiency not only ensures rapid action during environmental incidents but also exemplifies how businesses can adopt technology to meet environmental challenges head-on.
Technology’s Role in Addressing Water Pollution
Technology further amplifies these efforts by providing tools for better management and monitoring. Innovative software solutions simplify and optimize the measurement and management of environmental data. Industry-leading platforms enable real-time insights and risk reduction, allowing for proactive measures to address pollution before it becomes a significant issue. In a recent article by Cority’s Bill Palmer, ‘NPDES Management: Annual Stormwater and Wastewater Reporting’, he addresses what’s required in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System reports, how to approach the report creation efficiently, and how avoiding common pitfalls can make a significant difference in maintaining compliance.
“The use of digital tools and software to record data and keep all records and record logs secure can be used to avoid any undesired inaccuracies. Sampling mistakes can lead to reporting problems as well.”
Ensuring that a reliable platform is used company-wide for keeping records can save time, money, brand reputation, and resources from reporting & record keeping, to time-sensitive responses, and incident management.
With the real-time data and predictive maintenance offered by the digitization of wastewater management programs, organizations can react quickly when issues arise to limit impacts to the environment, local communities, and the economy. Additionally, organizations working in high-risk industries – such as chemicals, mining, and waste – these can meet regulatory standards more easily with the aid of technology, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and avoiding environmental impact.
The Path Forward: Clean Water, Open Beaches
The frequency of beach closures serves as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges we face. But with the right mix of policy, technology, and community effort, we can turn the tide. Industries must embrace innovative water management practices to reduce pollution and protect our precious natural resources. This is not just about keeping beaches open—it’s about safeguarding public health, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring a sustainable future.
The time to act is now. By investing in smarter water management solutions, with tools like Cority’s Environment Cloud, which sits within the broader integrated CorityOne ecosystem of EHS & sustainability software solutions and provides a consistent user experience, , and pushing for stricter enforcement of pollution regulations, we can keep our beaches safe, clean, and open for all to enjoy.
