About the Importance of

Water Quality

Beaches close every day from the affects of water pollution

Water Quality Issues

Water quality is one of the nation's most compelling environmental issues. Consider this:

Each year, there are over 25,000 beach closures and advisories issued in the United States due to unhealthful water quality.
Every 8 months, 11 million gallons of oil runs into the ocean from our streets and highways - that's equal to one Exxon Valdez spill.
Over 1.3 billion gallons of partially treated sewage is discharged into the waters off the California coast each day.

The Surfrider Foundation's Clean Water initiative primarily focuses on protecting water quality in coastal watersheds and in the near-shore marine environment. As a result, the Foundation advocates for strong water quality regulations, adequate marine recreational water quality monitoring, reporting and posting, reduction of polluted discharges into the ocean, and education regarding personal responsibility. Recent water quality victories include:

Quicker public notification regarding Jetty Island water quality (WA)
Restoration of California Beach Monitoring Funding (CA)
The establishment of the Clean Oceans Act in Florida (FL)

In addition, our grassroots chapters continue to raise awareness about water quality issues in their region through a variety of programs and campaigns:

The Surfrider Foundation also supports smart land-use planning for to ensure that coastal environmental resources are protected and healthy watersheds are maintained. The choices we make as individuals are what make the greatest impact on coastal water quality - choices such as:

Properly dispose of motor oil and other toxic liquids
Take shorter showers and turn off the water when brushing your teeth
Pick up after your pet
Cut back on your use of fertilizers

In the end, the effort to secure healthy coastal water quality comes down to one thing: the individual (that's you). Learn more from Surfrider Foundation: www.surfrider.org