OC Beaches Thrive in 2023 Heal the Bay Beach Report Card

Despite record-setting rainfall, Orange County beaches continued to shine in Heal the Bay’s 2022-2023 Beach Report Card. This annual report aims to keep residents safe by informing them about indicator bacteria levels at beaches across California. Orange County boasts a tremendous number of “A grade” beaches spanning from Seal Beach to San Clemente that are perfect to bring your whole family to! We’re proud of Orange County’s performance this year and hope to add beaches to the honor roll next year!

Orange County’s watersheds begin in the east at the Santa Ana, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto Mountains, then end in the west at our beaches along the Pacific Ocean. When water flows through these watersheds, runoff from our neighborhoods can bring pollutants to our waterways via the storm drain system. This differs from the sanitary sewer system , which treats water from our sinks, toilets, and showers. Pollutants found in runoff, like trash and bacteria from pet waste, can cause surfers and swimmers to get sick and beaches to close.

H₂OC partners with local agencies and our organizations to help keep OC residents safe. We take great pride in monitoring beach water quality, preventing pollutants from entering our storm drains, and protecting our water resources. We’re thrilled to see continuous improvement in our beach water quality across Orange County and take proactive steps to keep our waterways thriving. 

Beach Performance

Beach water quality data is monitored every week in Orange County by state, local, and Tribal authorities. This data is summarized in Heal the Bay’s 2022-2023 Beach Report Card which gives beaches grades A-F for the following categories: 

• Summer dry (summer month on a non-rainy day)
• Winter dry (winter month on a non-rainy day)
• Wet weather (water quality after rain)

If indicator bacteria levels are too high, a health advisory is posted at that location. The frequency of health advisory postings determines what grade a beach gets.

Curious about the water quality of OC’s beaches in 2022-2023? We had a terrific year and are proud of keeping our neighbors and waterways healthy. Here is a closer look at the numbers:

• 98% of OC beaches received A and B summer dry weather grades (3% higher than the average of 95%)
• 94% of OC beaches received A and B winter dry weather grades (11% higher than the average of 83%)
• 63% of OC beaches received A and B wet weather grades (7% higher than the average of 56%)

Of the 130 sites sampled in Orange County, Poche Beach was the only one listed on the report’s “Beach Bummer” list. Over the past 13 years, an ultraviolet (UV) filtration and disinfection system has helped mitigate bacteria flowing to Poche Beach. However, due to global supply chain delays and other unexpected issues, this UV system missed a significant amount of its operational season resulting in higher summer dry season bacteria levels. 

Overall, OC’s grades were above the State averages, showcasing our successful efforts to protect water quality across the County. This is even more impressive since we received 19 inches of rain, which is 46% higher than the historical average of 13 inches. 

Water Quality

We’re proud of our collaborative efforts across the County to achieve these tremendous beach water quality grades. By utilizing our partnerships, we’ve addressed 162 reported pollution incidents through our 24-hour pollution hotline and website this past year. We also continue to work with water agencies to reduce pollution using efficient landscape irrigation strategies and collaborate closely with wastewater agencies to respond to sanitary sewer overflows.

H₂OC, along with OC Public Works, OC Health Care Agency, OC Sanitation District, and South OC Wastewater Authority, monitor beach water quality every week at the 130 different sites that determine our report card grades. We also use the latest science and technology to proactively identify sources of human-related bacteria in urban runoff since this can be especially dangerous to human health. Additionally, in the past year H₂OC initiated a dry and wet weather source investigation study for fecal indicator bacteria in the Newport Bay Watershed. We have your back to ensure water conditions remain safe for swimmers and surfers alike.

But that’s not all we do to keep pollution out of our creeks, rivers, and ocean. We also use targeted dry weather storm drain diversions and treatment systems. These diversions collect dry weather runoff from the storm drain system and send it to the sanitary sewer system, while onsite treatment systems at numerous OC beaches treat water with ozone or ultraviolet light to neutralize bacteria. 

Finally, our efforts are focused on more than just the coast. We also protect inland waterways across Orange County! There are thousands of best management practices (BMPs) throughout OC’s 11 watersheds like vegetated swales, pervious pavement, and trash capture devices that prevent pollutants from flowing untreated into our waterways. 

All of this hard work has paid off, and we have the data to prove it. One example is San Clemente Pier. This beach was historically plagued with high levels of bacteria from urban runoff that flows to the ocean through a nearby storm drain. Water quality improved in recent years through a combination of dry and wet weather source investigations, as well as installation of bird deterrent netting under the pier to help prevent bacteria-containing bird excrement from entering the water. From the mountains to the coast, we are committed to being our watersheds’ strongest protectors. 

What You Can Do

We need your help too. Everyone that lives, works, and plays in Orange County can make an impact to protect our waterways. OC residents, you’ve done a terrific job already by being waterway-smart when walking your pet, exploring our many beaches and parks, or watering your lawn.  Thank you for continuing to keep your neighbors safe while ensuring our water bodies stay healthy. 

Here are some quick and easy ways you can help be the solution to runoff pollution:

1. Clean your yard. By sweeping and disposing of debris, picking up pet waste, and storing household hazardous materials indoors or under a cover, you can prevent the rain from taking contaminants into the storm drain system.

2. Keep waste bins covered. When these bins are covered, wind and rain can’t blow trash and other waste into the storm drain system. This simple act can also increase the longevity and effectiveness of our BMPs.

3. Skip watering before, during, and after a rain event. Overwatering is wasteful and can cause runoff to flow into the storm drain system, picking up pollutants along the way. By checking the forecast and adjusting your watering schedule, you can save water while protecting our waterways from unnecessary runoff pollution.

4. Join a Beach Cleanup. OC’s beaches are cherished all over the world because people like YOU volunteer to help keep them clean! To find a cleanup event near you, check out our events calendar. 

Keep Our Beaches Clean

Our beaches are some of Orange County’s most prized resources, and we’re proud to help keep them clean, healthy, and safe. With your continued commitment to protecting our waterways, we can shine in the Heal the Bay Beach Report Card every year! 

To learn about more ways you can protect our waterways, click here. 

Thank you for helping us protect our beautiful beaches from pollution!