Galveston Bay Haunted by Toxic Chemicals, Industrial Waste

Media Contacts

HOUSTON– In anticipation of Halloween, Environment Texas unveiled the Ten Scariest Facts about the Galveston Bay, showing that a terrifying concoction of toxic chemicals such as arsenic, industrial waste, and other pollutants have made Galveston Bay a ghost of its former self.

“Halloween is the season to be scared, but Texans shouldn’t have to be afraid of swimming, fishing and boating in the Galveston Bay,” said Environment Texas’s Ellen Garmon. “Major polluters dump toxic chemicals and hazardous waste in Galveston Bay turning it into a potion of pollution.” 

In its new, frightening fact sheet, Environment Texas found that: 

1. Four trillion gallons of wastewater flow into Galveston Bay each year from sewers, industrial facilities and roads. 

2. Over the past 60 years, more than 45,000 acres of Galveston Bay’s wetlands have been lost. Habitat destruction poses the greatest threat to the Bay’s fish and wildlife.

3. In 2007, Texas discharged over 13 million pounds of toxic chemicals into waterways including Galveston Bay. More than 87,000 pounds of those toxics were cancer-causing chemicals like arsenic, chromium and lead. 

4. In 2009, officials issued 41 health advisories due to polluted water at Galveston beaches that was too dangerous to swim in or drink from. 

5. Galveston Bay is plagued by steadily increasing runoff pollution from industry, roads, agriculture, and septic tanks. Urban development near the bay has only made this problem worse.

6. Half of the nation’s chemical production occurs within the Galveston watershed, which has led to multiple chemical and petroleum spills in the Bay within the last decade.  And because many municipalities don’t safely dispose of pesticides, acids, paints, and solvents, they’re dumped in the bay as well.

7. Since the 1950s, most of the sea grass beds in Galveston Bay have been lost, damaging marine life habitats. Agricultural runoff and septic system drainage contribute to excessive algae growth that shades the grass and sucks oxygen from the water.

8. More than 25,000 acres of freshwater wetlands around Galveston Bay were lost due to development in recent years. The bay loses more than 2,500 acres of freshwater wetlands per year.

9. Toxic compounds like pesticides, PCBs and dioxins threaten the safety of seafood caught in the bay, putting the $4 billion Galveston Bay economy at risk., 

10. Thirty-two waterways in the Houston-Galveston area are impaired because of dangerously high bacteria levels. The 80,000 failing septic systems in the area are a major source of this bacteria. 

To protect Galveston Bay wetlands and tributaries, Environment Texas urged the Environmental Protection Agency to move forward with two rules that would restore the Clean Water Act and reduce sewage overflows. Environment Texas also called on Congress to oppose any attacks on clean water. 

Bob Stokes, president of the Galveston Bay Foundation, joined Environment Texas in highlighting the frightening pollution in Galveston Bay.  “Tens of thousands of local Houston/Galveston area residents and visitors rely on Galveston Bay as a source for jobs and recreation.  It is imperative that we maintain the Clean Water Act protections that we have in place and continue to invest in the future health of Galveston Bay.  We support Environment Texas in calling for renewed protections of the Clean Water Act,” said Stokes.

“Halloween witches and ghosts should be should be scary. The state of Galveston Bay shouldn’t be, ” added Garmon. “It’s time to give Galveston Bay the Halloween treat it deserves: protection from pollution.”