FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 07/28/2026
Media Contact:
Nicky Rosenberg
Communications Manager, San Diego Coastkeeper
[email protected]
Monitoring finds chronically high levels of bacteria and nutrient pollution in San Diego’s most urbanized watershed
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego Coastkeeper published its 2025 Chollas Creek Water Quality Monitoring Report. The findings show a watershed under pressure: nitrogen, phosphorus, and E. coli frequently exceeded water quality objectives, while copper, lead, and zinc were generally detected at low levels. Coastkeeper collected samples bimonthly at four sites across this heavily urbanized watershed, and the data is shared with the public through an interactive data map at www.sdcoastkeeper.org/chollas-creek-map.
Key findings
- Bacteria: E. coli concentrations exceeded water quality objectives more than 50% of the time, reflecting both stormwater-driven and persistent dry-weather sources of bacterial contamination.
- Nutrients: Nitrogen exceeded standards 50% of the time and phosphorus 75% of the time across sites, indicating widespread nutrient enrichment within the creek.
- Metals: Copper, lead, and zinc were generally detected at low levels, with concentrations tied closely to storm events rather than baseline conditions.
“Coastkeeper’s report highlights the need to creatively seek new public investment in stormwater infrastructure and identify illicit pollution sources that degrade the Creek,” said Phillip Musegaas, Executive Director of Coastkeeper. “We are engaged with our partners in Chollas communities who share our vision of a clean, healthy Chollas Creek that becomes an asset and a blessing, not a burden to the people and wildlife living near it.”
Program Achievements
Coastkeeper’s Chollas Creek program reached several milestones in 2025:
- Bimonthly sampling events that brought in San Diego Canyonlands fellows and volunteers to join our community science work
- Exploratory sampling for PFAS “forever chemicals” and HF183, a marker of human sewage, both of which require further action (separate reports pending)
- Volunteer stipends and bilingual (English/Spanish) program materials to support equitable participation
- Field trips, university lab tours, and community events, including the Elementary Institute of Science and Groundwork San Diego – Chollas Creek Green Team
Future Actions
Coastkeeper will continue monitoring Chollas Creek through 2026, shifting focus in 2027 to stormwater events and pollution sources. The report also calls for:
- Long-term, dedicated stormwater infrastructure funding for the City of San Diego
- Stronger identification and regulation of pollution sources, including a statewide CII (commercial, industrial, and institutional) stormwater permit
- Continued partnership on green infrastructure efforts like the Swan Canyon Project and Chollas Blue Green Vision
The full 2025 Chollas Creek Water Quality Monitoring Report is available here.
About Coastkeeper
Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper safeguards our region’s inland and coastal waters through a strategic blend of community science, education, grassroots outreach, policy advocacy, and legal enforcement of environmental laws. This approach allows us to effectively tackle the most pressing water issues facing our region. For more information, visit sdcoastkeeper.org.