Severely Polluted Water Bodies of California

Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify all seriously polluted, or "impaired," water bodies every two years. Each polluted water body, and its associated contaminants, is placed on the 303(d) list. In California, the State Water Resources Control Board is responsible for maintaining and updating the 303(d) list. Thirty-five years after the creation of the Clean Water Act, many of California's waterways are still contaminated, and the problem is getting worse. The map below shows all impaired water bodies in red. California is split into nine Regional Water Boards. Select a region below to learn more about water pollution in your area, where it comes from, how it can affect your health and the environment, and how you can help stop the pollution! Coming soon CCKA will add an interactive feature about specific pollutants such as nutrients, bacteria, mercury and sediment in each region. To see how these pollutants are affecting water statewide, click on one of the options below.

Selected maps: Nutrient Pollution | Bacteria Pollution | Mercury Pollution | Sediment Pollution

All of the waters that are listed as impaired on the current 303(d) list are shown in red in the map below. Click on any water body name with a next to it to learn what contaminants are polluting the water and the suspected sources of that pollution. Simply click on a pollutant name to learn about its environmental and public health impacts. Concerned about the water quality in you region? Contact your legislative representatives or your Regional Water Board and let them know!

California Coastkeeper Alliance

PO Box 3156, Fremont CA 94539