the present invention involves a surface having a coating consisting essentially of a polymer that is soluble in or hydrolyzable by water . when the surface is immersed in an aqueous medium , the coating slowly dissipates such that biological fouling of the surface is prevented or inhibited . substances adhering to the surface of the slowly dissipating polymer are removed as the polymer dissipates . this dissipation may result from slow hydrolysis of the polymer , particularly if the polymer is a polyester or polyanhydride . preferred polyesters include polylactide and polyglycolide . polymers soluble in water include polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol . such solubility must be sufficiently slow such that the surfaces may be coated and the water - soluble polymer remains for a long period of time and is slowly dissipated into solution . such dissipation from the surface removes adherent substances . the adherent substances may be bacteria , fungi , biomolecules or multicellular organisms . the surfaces treated include polyvinylchloride , other plastics , elastomers , metals or ceramics .