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