The Nitty Gritty of the City's Effects on Our Oceans

The Port of Los Angeles, the busiest in the United States, faces a persistent crisis from human waste. Globally, ships discharge over 250 million tons of sewage and greywater annually, saturating harbors with a "toxic cocktail" of nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal bacteria.

In Los Angeles and Long Beach, aging infrastructure and illegal discharges have led to millions of gallons of untreated sewage entering San Pedro Bay. These nutrients trigger massive algal blooms that create "dead zones," depleting oxygen and causing marine life to perish. Beyond ecological collapse, human waste introduces pathogens and pharmaceuticals into the food web, endangering public health and local fisheries.

To restore our bay and reduce human waste in the Port of Los Angeles and global maritime hubs, a multi-layered approach is required—combining stricter shipboard technology, upgraded port infrastructure, and international policy enforcement.

1. On-Board Treatment Technology

Modern ships are moving toward Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS), which often exceed land-based municipal standards:

  - Membrane Bioreactors (MBR): These use ultra-fine membranes to filter out bacteria and viruses, producing clean effluent for safe discharge or reuse.

  - Physicochemical Treatment: Utilizes UV light and electro-chlorination to neutralize pathogens without releasing harmful chemicals.

  - Closed-Loop Scrubbers: Prevents "wash water" containing sulfur and particulate matter from being dumped directly into port waters.

2. Port Infrastructure: "Shore-to-Ship" Reception

Expanding Port Reception Facilities (PRFs) allows ships to plug directly into a city's sewage system:

  - Vacuum Collection Systems: Modern docks use high-speed vacuum lines to pull waste into municipal treatment plants.

  - Sewer Line Upgrades: Replacing aging lines in Los Angeles prevents leakage into San Pedro Bay during heavy rains.

3. Policy and "No-Discharge Zones"

Regulation remains the most effective tool for long-term change:

  - No-Discharge Zones (NDZs): Designating harbors as NDZs makes it illegal to discharge any sewage, treated or otherwise.

  - Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA): These standards require the Coast Guard and EPA to enforce technology-based limits on commercial vessel discharges.

  - Satellite & Digital Monitoring: "Smart Port" technology can monitor ship waste logs digitally to ensure compliance.

What Can You Do?

If you are a recreational boater or a local resident:

  - Use Pump-out Stations: Never discharge toilet waste within 3 miles of the coast.

  - Support Infrastructure Bonds: Vote for local measures that fund sewage plant upgrades and "green" port initiatives.

  - Report Spills: Report illegal dumping to the Coast Guard National Response Center.

We all have to do our part to save our oceans. All human waste is recyclable ♻️