Urban waterways in California have the highest levels of pollution from heavy metals and industrial organic compounds, according to an online report containing data and tests collected from all over the state by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board).
The Stream Pollution Trends (SPoT) monitoring program is the first consistent assessment of large watersheds across California to determine how stream pollution concentrations are affected by urban and agricultural development.
This SPoT program measures contaminant concentrations and toxicity in stream sediments that accumulate in downstream reaches of large watersheds.
The report is a first step in identifying stream pollution trends and measuring the effectiveness of efforts to protect California waterways. The State Water Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards) administer a variety of programs to improve
the state’s waters.
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Dredging Today Staff, April 30, 2012;