Storms drive emerging contaminants into the Bay

Rainfall washes contaminants from urban landscapes to San Francisco Bay, degrading water quality. In the latest RMP Update, we highlight the findings of a major multi-year screening study to quantify hundreds of emerging contaminants in stormwater. Our investigation shows that urban stormwater runoff transports toxic chemicals including PFAS, flame retardants, plastic additives, auto tire chemicals, and many others, with concentrations often similar to discharges of municipal wastewater effluent. Further characterization of emerging contaminants in stormwater is a priority for future work. The RMP Update also provides a concise overview of recent RMP activities and findings on diverse concerns including legacy contaminants, nutrients, microplastics, and sediment, as well as a look ahead.