Reducing Copper Pollution in the South San Francisco Bay (1993-1994)

In late 1993 and early 1994, CONCUR facilitated the South Bay Copper Reduction Dialogue. The negotiation was convened to meet the terms of permits imposed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board to reduce the combined discharge of copper from the cities of Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program by 950 pounds a year. A final MOU was signed by the mayors, city managers, or chief executives of each co-permittee setting out commitments to implementation of a list of over 20 control measures. These include improved street sweeping, best management practices for construction sites, and reduced use of copper-based algaecides.