Surfrider Foundation believes in an ecosystem-based approach to ending pollution in the lower Malibu Creek Watershed, and at Surfrider Beach. This world famous beach failed to meet California clean water standards 74 times during the summer dry season 2008, showing that a comprehensive stormwater/wastewater solution is urgently needed to protect the health of swimmers and surfers at Malibu. Surfrider Foundation values this beach as an important part of surf history, and are committed to ending pollution at the Bu.
Our local Surfrider chapter has worked with our Clean Water at the Bu Coalition members (MSA, HTB, SM Baykeepers) to identify problems and solutions for the entire Malibu Creek watershed, and we support measures including: water conservation and runoff reduction, wet and dry weather collection and treatment, removal of septic systems contributing to pollution in the Malibu Creek watershed, hooking up all properties to centralized wastewater treatment, and restoration of the Malibu Lagoon wetlands.
We know that poor water quality is a public health burden that has costs. It causes illnesses such as skin rash, ear infections, respiratory disease and gastrointestinal (GI) illness. Specifically, at Surfrider Beach, up to 100,000 excess GI illnesses were found due to poor water quality, costing up to $4.2 million in public expenditures annually. We also believes clean water at Malibu will have many benefits beyond the obvious improvement of our health. For those concerned about the economics of getting a cleaner Surfrider, a healthy beach environment attracts more visitors, who spend money at local businesses. According to Hanemann & Pendleton’s study of this beach (2004), increasing water quality at Surfrider Beach one letter grade would add a total of $45,000 in local spending yearly.
We look forward to the City of Malibu fulfilling its’ duty to protect recreational visitors to this iconic beach. We hope the City of Malibu and inland cities in the watershed will prioritize outreach and education to individuals and businesses on water conservation. Improving water quality at Surfrider Beach will not be an easy task. It will take a comprehensive approach, based on sound science and continued vigilance, to ensure that Surfrider Beach remains safe for generations of ocean-lovers to come.