A critical discussion on metal monitoring took center stage at the California Water Quality Monitoring Council's 2025 SPoT SRC Meeting, held on April 26, 2025. Participants emphasized the urgent need for more frequent monitoring of metals, particularly copper and zinc, to protect California's waterways and aquatic life.

Kelly, a key speaker, highlighted the upcoming changes in copper brake pad regulations set to take effect in 2025. These new regulations aim to reduce copper pollution, which poses a significant threat to salmon populations. "Having information about whether the environmental response is actually occurring is important," Kelly stated, advocating for more frequent data collection to assess the impact of these changes.

The conversation also touched on zinc levels, particularly from tires, which are a major source of pollution in Southern California. While there is ongoing consideration for management actions regarding zinc, the need for consistent monitoring remains a topic of debate. Kelly suggested that every couple of years might be an appropriate frequency for monitoring copper, given the current regulatory changes.

Participants expressed concern over the lack of a statewide monitoring program, with one member noting, "There is no other monitoring program that is collecting these data." This highlights the importance of the current program as the sole source of data on the effects of the copper brake pad law.

Additionally, the meeting briefly addressed the potential environmental impacts of metals related to lithium-ion battery production, especially in light of recent large-scale fires. The need for strategic monitoring of these metals was acknowledged, although budget constraints were also a concern.

As the meeting concluded, the call for enhanced monitoring of metals in California's waterways underscored the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the state's aquatic ecosystems. The discussions set the stage for future actions aimed at improving water quality and protecting vulnerable species.