Common characteristics of successful water quality improvement through point source pollution management

Abstract

Ocean pollution from land-based sources, such as terrestrial runoff and wastewater discharge, has significant environmental, social and economic repercussions. Despite the importance of good water quality for coastal ecosystem health, there is limited information about the key management characteristics present in places where there has been successful water quality management and subsequent improvement in marine ecosystem health. In this study, we evaluated several well-known successful examples of point source pollution management that achieved a notable improvement in water quality and coastal and marine ecosystems recovery, using principles of effective management collated from several existing theoretical Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) frameworks. Principles related to strong legislation, nested level of governance, stakeholder engagement and coordination among involved entities were determined as key factors to achieve water quality improvement. Understanding consistent themes present in successful management of water quality enhances our ability to better design management strategies that protect marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. • Success in marine water quality improvement is scarce. • Six large-scale water quality management have succeeded, measured by improvements in coastal and marine biodiversity. • Strong legislation in place and nested levels of governance were present in all water quality management projects. • Stakeholder engagement and participation in water quality management plan was also a prevalent theme. • The common themes across successful case studies can inform new and ongoing water quality management initiatives.