San Mateo County Bay Beaches Bacteria TMDL

Background:

 

Coyote Point Beach in San Mateo, Erckenbrack Park Beach, Gull Park Beach, Marlin Park Beach, and Kiteboard Beach in Foster City; and Oyster Point Beach in South San Francisco have experienced elevated levels of bacteria in the waters, indicating the presence of fecal contamination and potential health risks (including gastrointestinal illnesses and ear, eyes, nose, and throat infections) to recreational users at these beaches. Potential bacteria sources to these beaches include municipal stormwater, sewer line leakage, pet waste, and houseboats (Oyster Point Beach only). We are developing a TMDL for Coyote Point, Erckenbrack Park, Gull Park, Kiteboard, and Marlin Park, and Oyster Point beaches to identify sources of bacteria contamination and specific actions to create solutions.

 

 Map of a portion of San Francisco Bay showing the locations of Kiteboard Beach and Oyster Point.

Project Documents and Notices

Notice of Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping Meeting, August 1, 2023

Notice of Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping Meeting, July 22, 2019

Links

Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement. June 2017. This EPA publication is intended
to encourage partnerships between parks and stormwater agencies aimed at promoting the use of green infrastructure
(also referred to as stormwater best management practices) on park lands. It may be useful when developing enhanced stormwater BMPs.

California Microbial Source Identification Manual: A Tiered Approach to Identifying Fecal Pollution Sources to Beaches, Dec. 2013. This Manual
was completed as part of a Proposition 84 Clean Beaches Initiative (CBI) grant to develop a standard source identification protocol to identify fecal
indicator bacteria (FIB) sources contributing to chronically polluted beaches. The Manual is an important resource for source identification studies using
CBI funds, in order that appropriate implementation projects are proposed to address the pollution sources.

Pathogens in Urban Stormwater Systems, August 2014. This thorough report, prepared by the American Society of Civil Engineers, is intended to serve
as a technical resource for local governments working to address elevated FIB in urban areas.

Tools for Tracking Human Fecal Pollution in Urban Storm Drains, Creeks, and Beaches, Sept. 2012. This report documents actions taken and methods used
to eliminate fecal indicator bacteria at beaches in Santa Barbara. It includes guidance on strategies and a matrix of tools suggesting where the tools are most appropriate.

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For more information contact:
Selina Louie
Water Resource Control Engineer
Selina.Louie@waterboards.ca.gov
510.622-2383