Drought Hurts Inland San Diego Water Sources

The on-going four-year drought in California has negatively impacted inland water sources, where low levels of oxygen and high levels of bacteria have been detected.

According to a report from San Diego Coastkeeper, nine of 11 coastal watersheds in 2015 rated as fair, marginal or poor following water sample testing. Those scores fell in line with scores of 2014 samples.

Low dissolved oxygen concentrations were detected in 38% of samples, but what SDC found most troubling was unhealthy fecal indicator bacteria found in 59% of samples. Those problems, according to the report, are likely the result of drought conditions, urban runoff and pollution.

With the fecal indicator bacteria so high, the SDC report notes ocean waters will also fall victim to the pollution which is associated with staph infections, ear aches, rashes and stomach aches.

A full report of the organizations findings can be found on the San Diego Coastkeeper website, which provides resources for additional learning.

Source: San Diego Coastkeeper