Santa Cruz, California [August 1, 2024] – The City of Santa Cruz is proud to announce that for the fifth consecutive year, Cowell Beach has been excluded from Heal the Bay’s notorious “Beach Bummer” list, highlighted in their 2023-2024 Annual Beach Report Card.
This achievement results from the dedicated efforts of the Cowell’s Working Group (CWG), established in 2015 by the Santa Cruz City Council. The CWG brought together the City, Santa Cruz County, and local stakeholders, including Save The Waves Coalition, Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation, to tackle the long-standing issue of water pollution at Cowell Beach.
A major breakthrough came in 2017 when the source of the pollution—primarily birds roosting on and near the Wharf—was identified and managed. The City’s Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments have implemented rigorous maintenance and monitoring strategies, significantly reducing bacterial levels in the water.
“The continued exclusion of Cowell Beach from the ‘Beach Bummer’ list is a remarkable achievement,” said Akin Babatola, the City of Santa Cruz Environmental Compliance and Laboratory Manager. “It reflects our commitment to public health and the local economy, providing a safer and more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors.”
The CWG’s success is a model of effective collaboration and community engagement. “The improvements at Cowell Beach are a clear demonstration of the impact that local partnerships can have on environmental protection,” said Shaun Burns, Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve Coordinator for Save the Waves. “Cowells is a community playground for everyone, and the CWG has continued to make ongoing efforts to safeguard this amazing location for anyone who uses it.”
Key initiatives contributing to this success include: installing bird screening to reduce the presence of pigeons and gulls under the Wharf; deploying sliding gates at Neary Lagoon to control the flow of bacteria-laden water from a storm drain outlet onto Cowell Beach during summer months; and installing a steel plate at the Neary outfall pipe to divert high-bacteria water to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, where it is treated and disinfected before being discharged into the ocean.
The City will continue monitoring water quality at Cowell Beach to ensure the ongoing health and safety of the people and wildlife who enjoy this iconic Santa Cruz location.
For more information on the efforts to improve water quality at Cowell Beach, please visit www.savethewaves.org/cowells.
