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!
To see how these pollutants are affecting water statewide, click on one of the options below.
Once you've had a chance to learn about water pollution in your area, fill out a quick survey to let us know what you think; your important feedback will help us improve these maps.
Beach maps:
Region 1 |
Region 2 |
Region 3 |
Region 4 North |
Region 4 South |
Region 8 |
Region 9
Selected pollutant maps:
Nutrient Pollution | Bacteria Pollution |
Mercury Pollution | Sediment Pollution
next to it to learn what contaminants are polluting the water and the suspected sources of that pollution.
Simply click on a