Water Quality

Pollution of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Gao ID: RCED-87-156FS June 18, 1987

In response to a congressional request, GAO discussed the sources and amounts of pollutants in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin delta.

GAO found that: (1) wastewater discharged from federal facilities contributes less than 1 percent of the total wastewater and has less effect on water quality than other sources of bay and delta pollution; (2) the full extent of pollution and its impact on the health of the bay is not known; (3) treatment plants typically discharge less than the permitted pollution amounts; (4) commercial facilities are generally more responsive to regulatory guidance and directives than federal facilities; and (5) studies are underway to identify and quantify pollution sources, but are not intended to distinguish the federal contribution.



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