Water Quality Impacts
The occurrence of streamside homeless encampments is on the rise in the central coast, resulting in increased impacts associated with excessive trash, human waste, drug paraphernalia (e.g., discarded needles), and erosion that pose risks to public health and safety, and to water quality. Studies using DNA have confirmed human sources of fecal bacteria in central coast streams. Local agencies are also spending tens of thousands of dollars every year to cleanup homeless encampment related trash.