The Business of Clean WaterBringing private sector leadership to water quality in Baltimore

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 2007.

• Boards include property owners, attractions, businesses, and City

officials.

• Budget of $2 million, 75% privately funded.

Who is the Waterfront Partnership?

Cleaning

Who is the Waterfront Partnership?

Greening

Who is the Waterfront Partnership?

Safety

Who is the Waterfront Partnership?

Hospitality

Who is the Waterfront Partnership?

Family Fun

Who is the Waterfront Partnership?

Capital Improvements

How did Waterfront Partnership

get interested in water quality?

Swimmable and Fishable by 2020

• 2008-2009: City sustainability strategy underway

• 2009-2010: Healthy Harbor initiative

• 2010: Announced swimmable/fishable goal and installed pilot wetlands

• 2011: Release Healthy Harbor plan

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.

Baltimore Harbor Watershed

Healthy Harbor Planning Area

Measuring Progress

Three Major Problem Areas

1. Bacteria

2. Trash

3. Polluted Stormwater

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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)

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Public and Private Roles in Reaching

Swimmable/Fishable Goal

Public Sector

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

The leadership role provided by business is critical to

the success of the Healthy Harbor Plan