The Business of Clean Water. Bringing private sector leadership to water quality in Baltimore

Transcription

1 The Business of Clean Water Bringing private sector leadership to water quality in Baltimore

2 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Incorporated in 2005 in response to maintenance and management issues in the Inner Harbor. City approved a Business Improvement District in Boards include property owners, attractions, businesses, and City officials. Budget of $2 million, 75% privately funded.

3 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Cleaning

4 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Greening

5 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Safety

6 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Hospitality

7 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Family Fun

8 Who is the Waterfront Partnership? Capital Improvements

9 How did Waterfront Partnership get interested in water quality?

10 Swimmable and Fishable by : City sustainability strategy underway : Healthy Harbor initiative 2010: Announced swimmable/fishable goal and installed pilot wetlands 2011: Release Healthy Harbor plan

11 Healthy Harbor Vision A Healthy Harbor will be safe and enjoyable for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and open water swimming. A Healthy Harbor is fed by streams without eroding banks and free of foul odors where children are safe to play and wade. A Healthy Harbor s watershed is made up of cleaner, trash-free neighborhoods with green practices that store and clean runoff, provide shade, enhance property values, and beautify the community.

12 Baltimore Harbor Watershed

13 Healthy Harbor Planning Area

14 Measuring Progress

15 Three Major Problem Areas 1. Bacteria 2. Trash 3. Polluted Stormwater

16 How does Bacteria enter the Harbor? Largest sources of bacteria in the harbor are human waste (64%) and waste from pets and wildlife (20%) Human waste enters our waterways from sanitary sewer overflows, broken sewer pipes, leaking septic systems, and illegal connections from sewer drains to the storm drain system. Pet waste enters out waterways when pet owners neglected to clean up after their pets and storm runoff carries pet waste into our streams and harbor.

17 Strategies for Addressing Bacteria Public Sector Sanitary sewer overflows will be addressed by consent decrees between the City/County and EPA/DOJ. All structural overflows must be eliminated by 2016 (City) and 2019 (County). Private Sector Public outreach and stewardship programs to increase awareness and modify behavior. Provide more dog waste bag dispensers. Educate public about what should not be put down household drains (rags and grease).

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19 How does Trash enter the Harbor? Trash enters the Harbor from throughout the watershed. Any time somebody throws trash or a cigarette butt on the ground it s just one rainfall away from being in the harbor.

20 Strategies for Addressing Trash Public Sector Regulations (TMDL) are being developed for trash in the Inner Harbor that will make reductions of trash in storm drains mandatory. The City and County should conduct a trash survey to identify high trash generation areas. Private Sector Fund pilot projects for end-of-pipe solutions like netting devices and the Trash Wheel Support legislation aimed at reducing trash like the Maryland Bottle Bill and Maryland Bag Bill.

21 How does polluted stormwater enter the Harbor? Stormwater carries nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment into the Harbor. Nutrients come from fertilizers, industrial discharges, sewage leaks, pet waste, and atmospheric deposition. Sediment comes from roads and eroding stream banks. Stormwater pollution increases with increases in impervious cover.

22 Strategies for Addressing Stormwater Public Sector Install devices that reduce and slow down stormwater on City streets(bio retention, rain gardens, pervious pavement) Implement a stormwater utility Private Sector Increase public awareness and education Support a stormwater utility Install green infrastructure (trees, rain gardens, green roofs, impervious surface)

23 Green Infrastructure

24 Green Infrastructure

25 Green Infrastructure

26 Green Infrastructure

27 Public Sector Public and Private Roles in Reaching Swimmable/Fishable Goal Major infrastructure repair and restoration Passing legislation Private Sector Increasing momentum and political support so that the public sector prioritizes clean water restoration projects Increasing education and awareness Funding community based restoration activities

28 The leadership role provided by business is critical to the success of the Healthy Harbor Plan