One of the few upsides to California’s drought is that it has helped reduce pollution at some urban beaches, because less precipitation has meant less runoff from city streets and other paved surfaces. This in turn means less pollution draining into streams and bays.

Urban runoff is the number one source of pollution in places like Santa Monica Bay in Southern California. But the city is not relying on drought to help stop the problem. Instead it has taken the lead in implementing solutions, like “green streets” and runoff recycling to catch urban runoff before it hits the bay.