In April of 2006, Orange County Coastkeeper began a study to investigate the contribution of copper from copper based boat paints to the water and sediment in the marinas of Lower Newport Bay. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over fifty thousand pounds of copper leaches form bottom paint in Newport Bay each year.
This study was designed to find out what happens to that copper once it is released into the marina. Does the copper remain in the marina water and become absorbed into the sediments, or is it flushed out of the bay with the tides?
What We Did
A campaign in Newport Bay to encourage boaters to switch from copper paint to non-toxic alternatives. The project aimed to reduce copper levels in Newport Bay through voluntary measures, instead of regulation.
This program was a cooperative effort between Coastkeeper and the City of Newport Beach with a special incentive program for boat owners in the Balboa Yacht Basin.
Why We Did It
The State Board Copper Antifouling Paint Workgroup is currently investigating the contribution of copper from antifouling boat paints to marinas, as are other regional water boards and local agencies. This study provides useful data to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and state workgroup to help facilitate the development of the Metals Total Maximum Daily Load for Lower Newport Bay. Coastkeeper conducted this study under a contract from the city of Newport Beach, with funding provided by the Santa Ana Regional Control Board. The toxicity testing was funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency Department of Pesticide Regulation.
The goal of the project was to improve water quality in Newport Bay and reduce dissolved copper levels in Balboa Yacht Basin Marina to below California Toxics Rule criteria. Coastkeeper sought to create a situation where non-toxic bottom paint is on the whole competitive with copper-based paints so that boaters do not see a major downside to using non-biocide paint. The expected outcome was reduced copper loads and improved water quality in the Bay, and a situation where the use of non-toxic bottom paints is common and is the preferred choice for boaters.
How We Did It
Water and sediment samples were collected from 8 marinas and the adjacent channels in the Lower Newport Bay, and analyzed for copper and other metals such as nickel, chromium, lead, arsenic, nickel, tin, cadmium and zinc. The resulting data shows us the presence of copper and other metals in water and sediment, and concentrations in marinas compared to channel sites. This water and sediment quality data was critical to determining if copper boat paints are a significant source of contamination in Lower Newport Bay.
In order to achieve our goals, we used the following methods:
- Public Policy: A non-binding resolution by the City of Newport Beach to eliminate the use of non-biocide boat bottom paint in Newport Bay, and the implementation of specific city policies to motivate boaters to switch to non-biocide bottom paints.
- Boater Education: Coastkeeper, the City of Newport Beach, and Trace Marine Services educated boaters on the problems copper pollution is causing in the bay, the benefits of non-biocide paints, and the alternative bottom paint options available.
- Financial Incentives: For the Balboa Yacht Basin, we provided a small monetary incentive based on a percentage of the cost for the boat owner to switch to an alternative, anti-fouling bottom paint.
- Resources & Support: We assisted cooperating local boat yards and hull cleaning services in identifying and supporting the use of appropriate non-biocide bottom paints and developing alternative paint services.
- Water Monitoring: We conducted water monitoring for dissolved copper in Balboa Yacht Basin Marina to document any improvements in water quality, and analyze the data to determine the copper load reductions achieved in Balboa Yacht Basin Marina and harbor wide.
