Heal the Bay has been working to protect our beaches, rivers, creeks and ocean since 1985. But what exactly are we protecting our important waterways from? And why are they so important? In this section, you can learn more about the different types of water pollution, how that pollution impacts the water, and why we need to keep our ocean clean and healthy.

Why is the Ocean Important? The ocean is an important part of everyday life. It directly effects things like food, product ingredients, recreation, tourism, biodiversity, and oxygen.

Impacts of Water Pollution Urban Runoff, Sewage, and Marine Debris are among the ways that Water Pollution impact the environment.

Storm Drains & Urban Runoff Here in Los Angeles County (and throughout all of Southern California), we have a storm drain system. In LA, the storm drain system is a 5,000 mile network of catch basins, tunnels, and pipes that run underneath the city streets. The storm drains collect the rainwater, over irrigation, and other water from streets, and channel it to one of the more than 70 major outfalls that empty into the ocean.

Sewage Have you ever wondered what happens to the water when you flush your toilet, take a shower, wash your hands, or do the dishes? This wastewater, or used water, is called sewage; it is all the water that goes through pipes from the insides of buildings.

Marine Debris Marine Debris Marine debris is simply manmade trash and materials that litter our sea and beaches. It is estimated that 80% of marine debris comes from land-based sources, while only 20% comes from the sea-based sources, like shipping and boating. Marine debris is widely recognized as a threat to the marine environment. Despite past efforts to control marine debris, the quantity of trash in the coastal and ocean environment is increasing dramatically world-wide.

Impacts to Marine Life In addition to spoiling the beauty of California's beaches and coast, marine debris poses a significant threat to marine life, primarily through ingestion, and entanglement.