When polluters break the law, our community pays the price. Coastkeeper ensures Southern California’s industrial facilities follow water quality standards to ensure swimmable, drinkable, fishable water for all.
Through over 160 successful legal cases, our enforcement team has stopped illegal discharges, forced compliance with clean water laws, and redirected millions of dollars back into local restoration efforts.
160
+
Clean Water Enforcement Cases
100
%
Litigation Success Rate
$
250,000
Directed to Environmental Projects in 2025
The Litigation Process
Stormwater pollution from industrial facilities is one of the largest threats to water quality in Southern California. During rainstorms, polluted runoff flows untreated into local waterways, carrying contaminants that harm ecosystems, close beaches, and threaten public health.
Established in 1972 with bipartisan support, the federal Clean Water Act protects the nation’s waters by regulating pollution and setting standards for industrial discharges. Coastkeeper enforces these protections by investigating industrial facilities, conducting water quality testing, and identifying violations. When violations are found, we notify the facility and provide an opportunity to come into compliance by addressing the source of pollution.
If violations persist, we pursue enforcement through litigation in federal court to hold polluters accountable and protect our waterways. After a case is resolved, we continue monitoring facilities to help ensure they remain in compliance.
By combining science, engineering, and legal action, Coastkeeper has helped more than 160 industrial facilities comply with federal clean water laws while securing funding for projects that restore and protect our local environment.
Success Stories
OC Coastkeeper Enforces Clean Water Act to Improve Local Water Quality
OC Coastkeeper Enforces Clean Water Act to Improve Local Water Quality
Our Legal Action Saves Newport Harbor from Contaminated Sediment Exposure
Our Legal Action Saves Newport Harbor from Contaminated Sediment Exposure
The Riding Park: A Win for Water Quality and Equestrian Events
The Riding Park: A Win for Water Quality and Equestrian Events
Environmental Litigation & Advocacy Internship
We host a competitive legal internship program to train the next generation of environmental attorneys by providing “real-world” experience in environmental advocacy. For current law school students only.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Can Coastkeeper Enforce Clean Water Laws?
When the Clean Water Act was established in 1972, the U.S. Congress understood that government oversight would not be enough, so it included an additional enforcement mechanism known as the citizen suit provision. This provision empowers individuals, like you, or organizations, like Orange County Coastkeeper, who have been harmed by a clean water violation to file a lawsuit against the alleged polluter. This provision puts the fight for clean water in the hands of the people, as well as the government.
Where Does the Settlement Money Go?
Through settlement, Coastkeeper can retain its attorney’s fees and litigation costs, including third-party expert fees.
Outside of Coastkeeper’s costs, some settlement funds are directed to local environmental projects to mitigate the harm caused by the defendant’s discharge. These funds are never sent to Coastkeeper; however, our team works with defendants to identify projects near their facilities, ensuring settlement funds are invested in the same watershed affected by the pollution.
Through Clean Water Act enforcement, we have redirected over $3 million to local environmental projects focused on improving water quality and environmental education programs. Funds have been directed to organizations such as:
- Bolsa Chica Conservancy
- Chino Hills State Park
- Newport Bay Conservancy
- Los Cerritos Wetlands
- Pacific Marine Mammal Center
- Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center
- Rivers and Lands Conservancy
- Rose Foundation
Who Are Common Industrial Stormwater Polluters?
There are hundreds of industrial facilities throughout Orange County. Some of the industries commonly found polluting our waters are:
- Scrap Metal Yards
- Clay Tile and Pipe Manufacturers
- Trash Haulers
- Automobile Dismantlers
- Frozen Food Manufacturers
- Concrete Ready-Mix Plants
- Structural Steel Facilities
- Railyards
- Metal Fabricators
- Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing
