World-Class Water Quality Monitoring
The RMP was created by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board in 1993 to ensure water quality management decisions and investments are guided by sound science. The RMP is a collaborative of regulators, dischargers, industry representatives, non-governmental organizations, and scientists. SFEI was formed to develop, staff, and manage the decades-long monitoring program and identify and conduct the studies needed to help managers and policymakers stay ahead of emerging threats. RMP studies have informed more than 40 local, state, and federal policies, chemical bans, cleanup plans, science and management strategies, and more.
Thanks to this collaboration, along with sustained funding and a commitment to adaptation and technical excellence, San Francisco Bay has one of the best and most influential water quality monitoring programs in the world.
Our Focus Areas
RMP Communications
Effective communication of information on Bay water quality is a priority for the RMP. The Pulse of the Bay provides an accessible, well-illustrated summary of Bay water quality every two years. The RMP Annual Meeting is a popular forum for presentation and discussion of the latest science. Other communication products include the RMP Update, the RMP website, technical reports, journal publications, fact sheets, email newsletters, oral presentations, posters, and media outreach.
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Status and Trends Monitoring
RMP Status and Trends (S&T) monitoring tracks long-term trends in Bay water quality, providing crucial information on the effectiveness of water quality regulations and cleanup efforts. Water, sediment, fish, and birds have been monitored since 1993. Starting in 2020, the primary emphasis of S&T shifted to monitoring to support early identification and management of emerging contaminants.
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Accessing RMP Data
The RMP has generated millions of data points on Bay water quality over the past 30 years. Providing easy and full access to high quality data enhances trust and helps to maximize the value of the monitoring program to water quality managers, researchers, and the public. Raw RMP data and innovative visualization options are provided by the Contaminant Data Display and Download Tool (CD3).
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RMP Governance
The RMP governance structure is composed of a Steering Committee, Technical Review Committee, and workgroups of stakeholders, regulators, and science advisors focusing on high priority water quality topics. In addition, Strategy Teams are created to focus on specific program interests.
SFEI serves as the Implementing Entity for the RMP. All RMP meetings are open to the public.
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Special Studies on Priorities
RMP special studies address high priority water quality topics. These studies are key to adapting Bay monitoring and addressing information needs for water quality managers. They allow the RMP to respond to new water quality concerns, develop and refine new approaches, answer management questions, and enhance status and trends monitoring.
Workgroups composed of RMP stakeholders, state and federal regulators, and science advisors guide the RMP special studies, which fall into five main topic areas.
Emerging Contaminants (RMP Workgroup)
The RMP fills critical science needs for managers to reduce harmful emerging contaminants in San Francisco Bay. Emerging contaminants are unregulated or under-regulated and not commonly monitored, yet may harm human and ecological health.
Microplastics (RMP Workgroup)
RMP microplastics science informs local, state, and national decisions to protect the environment. Our monitoring includes a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive regional study of microplastics in a major urban estuary and nearby ocean.
PCBs (RMP Workgroup)
More than forty years after the ban of these toxic chemicals, PCBs are still far higher in Bay fish than the regulatory target, and have not shown clear signs of decline in recent years. Continued monitoring and studies can inform cleanup plans.
Sediment (RMP Workgroup)
Sediment is a building block of tidal marshes and can store and transport contaminants throughout the Bay. The RMP studies water and sediment quality, as well as the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on the Bay’s tidal wetlands.
Sources, Pathways, & Loadings (RMP Workgroup)
Since the 1990s, the RMP ran a field-intensive monitoring program to estimate loads of PCBs, mercury, and other legacy contaminants entering the Bay—and to identify sources. Over three decades, this focus area has evolved into an integrated monitoring and modeling approach for both legacy and emerging contaminants.
Bay Regional Monitoring Program Events
Wed, Dec 9 2026, 9am - 4pm
Bay RMP Technical Review Committee Meeting
Mon, Nov 16 2026, 9am - 5pm
Bay RMP Multi Year Planning Workshop and Steering Committee Meeting
Wed, Oct 21 2026, 9am - 4:30pm
2026 Bay RMP Annual Meeting
Wed, Sep 16 2026, 9am - 4pm
Bay RMP Technical Review Committee Meeting
Mon, Aug 24 2026, 9am - 3pm
Bay RMP Steering Committee Meeting
Wed, Aug 19 2026, 9 - 11:30am
Bay RMP Sediment Workgroup Meeting
Recent Publications
Integrated Watershed-Bay Modeling Strategy
This document outlines a strategy of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) for developing an integrated system of watershed and in-Bay models to help answer key management questions…
ASSOCIATED STAFF
