Bureau of Environmental Analysis, Restoration and Standards
Water Quality Assessment
New Jersey's surface waters provide much of the water used for drinking water supplies, recreation, fishing, boating, swimming, commercial fisheries including shellfish, and tourism, all of which support our State’s ecology, economy, and quality of life for our residents. New Jersey conducts a statewide assessment of water quality every two years. This includes an intensive assessment of one of New Jersey’s five water regions (see adjacent map) each assessment cycle. A different water region is selected each assessment cycle (see image below), on a rotating basis. Learn more about Integrated Water Quality Assessment, the Rotating Regional Approach, and the Assessment Program by clicking on the bars below.
Assessment Cycle
Hover (or tap if on mobile device) on each section of the diagram above to view more info about that stage of the cycle.
New Jersey employs an integrated approach to assessing water quality by compiling a vast amount of water monitoring data and related information collected by numerous sources throughout the State and evaluating it to determine the health of New Jersey’s surface waters. This statewide assessment of water quality is conducted every two years and includes an intensive assessment of one of the five water regions each assessment cycle. A different water region is selected each assessment cycle, on a rotating basis. This integrated water quality assessment process is used to determine if water quality conditions have changed over time; if water quality standards are met and if designated uses, such as recreation and water supply, are fully supported; to identify causes and sources of water quality impairment; and to develop restoration strategies for impaired waters and protection strategies for healthy waters. New Jersey’s integrated water quality assessment process includes assessing if all freshwaters fully support the drinking water supply use, it does not assess drinking water quality. Information about drinking water quality is available from the Division of Water Supply and Geoscience’s website at http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/.
Since 2014, New Jersey has employed a rotating regional approach to integrated water quality assessment required under Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the federal Clean Water Act. Under this approach, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection conducts a streamlined assessment of statewide water quality along with a more comprehensive, detailed assessment of water quality in one of New Jersey’s five water regions, Atlantic Coastal, Raritan, Lower Delaware, Upper Delaware and Northeast (see figure) each assessment cycle. This rotating regional approach will produce a comprehensive assessment of the entire state every ten years and will support development of measures to restore, maintain, and enhance water quality tailored to the unique circumstances of each regions. This approach is consistent with recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidance for administering the federal Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program entitled: “A Long-term Vision for Assessment, Restoration, and Protection under the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program”, as explained in New Jersey’s approach for implementing the new USEPA guidance, entitled: “New Jersey’s Vision Approach for Assessment, Restoration, and Protection of Water Resources under the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program”.
NJDEP’s water quality standards, monitoring, and assessment programs provide the scientific foundation for restoration and protection of New Jersey’s water resources in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act and the New Jersey Water Quality Planning Act. These programs have been integrated into a comprehensive monitoring, assessment, and restoration program implemented through a rotating basin approach that will produce a comprehensive assessment of the entire State every ten years. The primary purpose of the integrated water quality assessment program is to determine the health of New Jersey’s water resources. We do this every two years by compiling a vast amount of data and information collected by numerous sources and evaluating this information to assess water quality conditions and support of designated uses, identify sources and causes of water quality impairment, and develop restorative responses. The results of these biennial assessments are published in New Jersey’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report (Integrated Report) and are used to inform and guide water quality monitoring, restoration and protection efforts conducted at the state, regional, watershed and local levels. This information is also used by Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the state decision-makers to establish program priorities and funding for restoring, maintaining, enhancing and protecting waters and the uses and benefits (public health, environmental, and economic) they provide.
The federal Clean Water Act mandates that states submit biennial reports to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) describing the quality of their waters. The biennial Statewide Water Quality Inventory Report or "305(b) Report" must include the status of principal waters in terms of overall water quality and support of designated uses, as well as strategies to maintain and improve water quality. The 305(b) reports are used by Congress and USEPA to establish program priorities and funding for federal and state water resource management programs. The biennial List of Water Quality Limited Waters or "303(d) List" identifies waters that are not attaining designated uses because they do not meet surface water quality standards despite the implementation of technology-based effluent limits. States must prioritize waters on the 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Waters for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development and identify those high priority waters for which they anticipate establishing TMDLs in the next two years.
In 2002, New Jersey combined these requirements into one biennial, integrated water quality assessment report that provides the information about New Jersey's water resources, current water quality conditions, and causes and sources of water quality impairment needed to inform and guide water quality monitoring, restoration and protection efforts conducted at the state, regional, watershed and local levels. The Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report) combines and satisfies the reporting and public participation requirements of Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (along with Section 314 Clean Lakes Program).
The information provided in the Integrated Reports is also used to establish funding and implementation priorities for enhancing and protecting waters of the State and the uses and benefits (public health, environmental, and economic) they provide. Information about older Integrated Reports is available under the “Previous Assessments” tab, above.
Photo credit - NJDEP
As explained in the Overview, New Jersey has employed a rotating regional approach to integrated water quality assessment since 2014. Under this approach, New Jersey conducts a streamlined assessment of statewide water quality along with a more comprehensive, detailed assessment of water quality in one of the state’s five water regions - Atlantic Coastal, Raritan, Lower Delaware, Upper Delaware and Northeast (see figure) - each assessment cycle. This rotating regional approach will produce a comprehensive assessment of the entire state every ten years. The final water quality assessment results are mapped in the 2018/2020 Integrated Report Storymap at the Assessment Unit (AU) and station level.
Click on the bars below for the assessment status and results for each Water Region and its corresponding Integrated Report, or on the tabs above for information about actions underway in each Water Region.
The Department initiated the 2018 water quality assessment cycle with a notice of data solicitation published in the October 16, 2017 New Jersey Register. The deadlines for data used for the 2018 cycle are July 31, 2017 for data collection and December 1, 2017 for data upload. This data was evaluated by the Department to determine compliance with applicable water quality standards and assess support of applicable designated uses. The methods used to compile, analyze, and interpret data used for water quality assessment are described in the Integrated Water Quality Assessment Methods (Methods Document). The Methods Document includes a description of data quality and other requirements that water quality data must satisfy to be used for assessment purposes. The Methods Document also explains the rationale for placing waters on the Integrated List, 303(d) List, ranking the priority of 303(d)-Listed waters for TMDL development, and delisting waters from or not placing waters on the 303(d) List. The 2016 Methods Document served as the basis for the 2018 303(d) list and Integrated Report.
2018 Integrated Report Schedule/Milestones
Reporting Period covers January 1, 2012 - July 31, 2017
The 2018 / 2020 Integrated Report and public notice seeking comment was published in the NJ Register on June 21, 2021 with a public comment period that ended August 20, 2021
The final 2018 303(d) List was submitted to USEPA on December 6, 2021
The USEPA approved the 2018 Integrated Report on December 15, 2021
The Department published the final 2018/2020 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Waters, which was signed on May 12th 2022, in the New Jersey Register on June 20th 2022 (54 N.J.R. 1201(a)).
This spreadsheet contains final determinations for each designated use in every HUC-14 subwatershed: Aquatic life – General, Aquatic Life – Trout, Fish Consumption, Public Water Supply, Recreation and Shellfish.
This spreadsheet contains a list of waters previously included on the 303(d) List that have been removed due to improved water quality sampling results.
This spreadsheet contains a list of impaired waterbodies with a TMDL that are now showing full support of a designated use, and therefore will be removed from Sublist 4.
The Department initiated the 2020 water quality assessment cycle with a notice of data solicitation published in the July 2, 2018 New Jersey Register. The deadlines for data to be used for the 2020 cycle are June 30, 2018 for data collection and September 30, 2018 for data upload. This data was evaluated by the Department to determine compliance with applicable water quality standards and assess support of applicable designated uses. The methods used to compile, analyze, and interpret data used for water quality assessment are described in the Integrated Water Quality Assessment Methods (Methods Document). The Methods Document includes a description of data quality and other requirements that water quality data must satisfy to be used for assessment purposes. The Methods Document also explains the rationale for placing waters on the Integrated List, 303(d) List, ranking the priority of 303(d)-Listed waters for TMDL development, and delisting waters from or not placing waters on the 303(d) List.The 2016 Methods Document served as the basis for the 2020 303(d) list and Integrated Report.
2020 Integrated Report Schedule/Milestones
Reporting Period covers January 1, 2012 - July 31, 2017
Data submittal/upload deadline: September 30, 2018
The 2020 303(d) List and Integrated Report is due to USEPA by April 1, 2020
The 2018 / 2020 Integrated Report and public notice seeking comment was published in the NJ Register on June 21, 2021 with a public comment period that ended August 20, 2021
The final 2020 303(d) List was submitted to USEPA on December 15, 2021
The USEPA approved the 2018 Integrated Report on January 11, 2022
The Department published the final 2018/2020 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Waters, which was signed on May 12th 2022, in the New Jersey Register on June 20th 2022 (54 N.J.R. 1201(a)).
This spreadsheet contains final determinations for each designated use in every HUC-14 subwatershed: Aquatic life – General, Aquatic Life – Trout, Fish Consumption, Public Water Supply, Recreation and Shellfish.
This spreadsheet contains a list of waters previously included on the 303(d) List that have been removed due to improved water quality sampling results.
This spreadsheet contains a list of impaired waterbodies with a TMDL that are now showing full support of a designated use, and therefore will be removed from Sublist 4.
The Department initiated the 2022 water quality assessment cycle with a notice of data solicitation published in the July 2, 2018 New Jersey Register. The deadlines for data to be used for the 2022 cycle are May 30, 2020 for data collection and August 31, 2020 for data upload. This data will be evaluated by the Department to determine compliance with applicable water quality standards and assess support of applicable designated uses. The methods used to compile, analyze, and interpret data used for water quality assessment are described in the Integrated Water Quality Assessment Methods (Methods Document). The Methods Document includes a description of data quality and other requirements that water quality data must satisfy to be used for assessment purposes. The Methods Document also explains the rationale for placing waters on the Integrated List, 303(d) List, ranking the priority of 303(d)-Listed waters for TMDL development, and delisting waters from or not placing waters on the 303(d) List.
Reporting Period covers January 1, 2011 – May 30, 2020
Data solicitation notice published on July 2, 2018
Data submittal/upload deadline: August 31, 2020
Atlantic Coastal Water Region (2014/2024 Integrated Report)
Integrated water quality assessment is an ongoing process that involves four key, iterative steps: public outreach and stakeholder/partner engagement, water quality monitoring, water quality assessment and implementation of restoration and protection plans and actions. Surface water quality standards, as well as monitoring design and assessment methods, are continuously updated to reflect advances in scientific knowledge about linkages between standards and use support and improved analytical methods and field procedures. Data monitoring helps to assess condition of waters, identify sources of impairment, develop restorative responses, and measure the effectiveness of the responses, leading to target strategies that address the verified causes and sources of impairment. This process is critical to ensuring that New Jersey’s waters are safe for swimming and recreation, fish and shellfish harvested from our waters are safe for eating, water supply sources are safe for drinking, and aquatic life is healthy and sustainable.
The tabs above provide information about the status of each water region as well as results of current and previous assessments. The bars below offer additional information about the rotating regional approach, the assessment program, and general watershed information.
The restoration of the Barnegat Bay Watershed was declared a State priority in 2010. (Click here for more information on the Governor’s Ten-Point Plan to restore Barnegat Bay.) Since then, the Barnegat Bay has been the focus for water quality assessment and restoration within the Atlantic Coastal Water Region. Extensive public outreach efforts were conducted in the Barnegat Bay Watershed throughout 2010-2017, including:
Mobilized partners to jointly conduct comprehensive water quality monitoring in both fresh and marine waters of the Barnegat Bay (see “Monitoring”, below).
Conducted a comprehensive public education program to raise awareness of the importance of the health of Barnegat Bay.
Conducted five successful watershed-wide community cleanup events (the "Barnegat Bay Blitz") resulting in thousands of pounds of litter collected from public beaches. For more information, click on "Implementation", below.
Outreach efforts will continue as the Department transitions into the second phase of restoration under the Barnegat Bay Restoration, Enhancement and Protection Strategy (Phase 2 Strategy). Click here for more information about current efforts or “Implementation” below.
The Department is also working with the Barnegat Bay Partnership (BBP) and its stakeholders to update the Comprehensive Coastal Management Plan (CCMP) for the Barnegat Bay Estuary. The BBP administers the Barnegat Bay Estuary Program, one of 28 National Estuary Programs established under Section 320 of the federal Clean Water Act and is administered by the Barnegat Bay Partnership (BBP). The goal of the National Estuary Program is to establish, restore, and protect all national estuaries as healthy and productive ecosystems able to fully support the beneficial uses articulated in each CCMP. The Department has been working with BBP to revise the CCMP and coordinate the actions and goals of the CCMP with the Barnegat Bay Phase 2 Strategy.
The Department and its partners launched a comprehensive water quality monitoring initiative in the Barnegat Bay watershed on June 6, 2011 to determine if narrative nutrient criteria for coastal waters are being met. Intensive monitoring of the Barnegat Bay and its tributaries was conducted between 2011 and 2012 and generated a robust dataset of over 5,000 water samples, which were analyzed by the Department along with other available data to assess the water quality conditions in the Barnegat Bay Watershed. Results of this assessment were published in 2014. (See “Assessment”, below.) Ambient and targeted water quality monitoring in the rest of the Atlantic Coastal Region was also conducted between April 2010 and September 2012. The Department is currently working with partners in the Navesink River Watershed, including the Navesink River Municipal Committee (NRMC), Clean Ocean Action (COA), and the Rally for the Navesink, to monitoring and investigate and remove potential sources of pathogens. The next round of monitoring for comprehensive assessment of the Atlantic Coastal Water Region is scheduled to be conducted between May 2019 and September 2023.
A comprehensive assessment of the Atlantic Coastal Region was conducted for the 2014 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report), which was based in part on the comprehensive assessment of the Barnegat Bay. Click here to learn more about the Barnegat Bay Assessment. The final 2014 Integrated Report, including the 2014 303(d) List of impaired waters, was approved by USEPA in July 2017 and adopted by the Department in September 2017. A summary of the designated use assessment results for the Atlantic Coastal Region is provided below. The complete results for the 2014 Integrated Report are provided under “Statewide Assessments”. The next comprehensive assessment of the Atlantic Coastal Region will be conducted for the 2024 Integrated Report.
2014 Integrated Report Schedule/Milestones
Reporting Period covers January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2012
Data solicitation notice published on February 19, 2013 (45 N.J.R. 378(a)).
Data submittal/upload deadline: July 1, 2013
Draft 2014 Methods Document and public notice seeking comments published on July 21, 2014 (46 N.J.R. 1719(c))
Public comment period ended on August 20, 2014.
2014 Methods Document finalized in February 2015
Draft 2014 303(d) List and public notice seeking comments published on February 1, 2016.
Public comment period ended on March 2, 2016.
Formal transmittal of revised 2014 303(d) List to USEPA for approval on May 18, 2017.
Notice of adoption of the final 2014 303(d) List published in the October 16, 2017 New Jersey Register.
Click any of the bars below for additional information about each designated use.
Fifteen percent of ACR AUs fully support the general aquatic life use (compared
to 16% statewide), 63% do not support the use, and 22% have insufficient information to assess
the use (see Figures 2.17A and B).
Trout waters within the region are very limited. There are no trout
production waters and only 17 of the ACR’s 293 AUs contain trout maintenance waters, mostly
in the Manasquan River, Toms River, and Metedeconk River watersheds. Six of those 17 AUs
had insufficient information to assess the trout use. Of the 11 AUs that had sufficient
information, 15% fully support the aquatic life trout use, compared to 16% of assessed waters
statewide. Overall, 12% of the applicable AUs fully support the use, 65% do not support the use,
and 23% have insufficient information to assess the use (see Figures 2.20A and 2.20B). The trout
use has the second lowest level of use support in the ACR, after fish consumption.
Forty-one percent of applicable AUs in the ACR fully support the public
water supply use, which is slightly higher than the relative percentage statewide (37%); 28% do
not support the use, and 31% have insufficient information to assess the use (see Figures 2.15A
and 2.15B). As with the rest of the State, the predominant cause of use impairment is arsenic
(91%); however, of the 64 AUs impaired by arsenic, almost half (29 AUs) are at or below
naturally-occurring regional arsenic concentrations, based on USGS studies in the Coastal Plain.
Naturally-occurring conditions are generally not considered to represent use impairment;
however, these arsenic concentrations exceed established human health criteria and must be
placed on the 303(d) List according to USEPA requirements. Therefore, AUs with these
naturally occurring concentrations of arsenic have been placed on a special subpart of the 2014
303(d) List, Sublist 5A, for which TMDL development is not an effective response.
As shown in Figures 2.22A and 2.22B, thirty-five percent of ACR AUs fully
support the recreational use (compared to 24% AUs statewide), 26% do not support the use, and
39% have insufficient information to assess the use. As with the statewide results, coastal and
estuarine waters in the ACR showed higher support for the recreation use than freshwaters
(streams, rivers, and lakes). Assessment of ocean beaches, where most bathing occurs, shows
that these waters are fully swimmable from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point. Freshwaters
represent over 80% of recreational use impairment.
The percentage of ACR AUs fully supporting the shellfish
harvest for consumption use (27% of 130 AUs) is slightly higher than AUs statewide (20% of
174 AUs). Sixty percent of applicable AUs do not support the use29 and 13% have insufficient
information to assess the use (see Figures 2.24A and B). As with statewide shellfish waters, only
shellfish waters classified as “approved” are assessed as fully supporting the designated use even
though shellfish may be harvested from shellfish waters that are seasonal and special restricted.
As explained under the statewide use assessment results, the increase in AUs assessed as
impaired resulted from changes to the use assessment process and does not reflect on overall
decline in water quality conditions.
None of the ACR’s 293 AUs fully support the fish consumption use;
however, 71% of AUs have insufficient information to assess the use, primarily due to a lack of
fish tissue data (see Figures 2.26A and B). Where data are available, they show that the use is
impaired (29% AUs). The fish consumption use is assessed based on bioaccumulative toxins that
are used to develop fish consumption advisories. All new fish tissue data in ACR waters exceed
the standard for unrestricted fish consumption, except for mercury in fish tissue in the Raritan
Bay and two tributaries (Navesink River and Matawan Creek).
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were established for 14 waterbodies in the Atlantic Coastal Region that were identified on previous 303(d) Lists as impaired by total phosphorus, pathogens, and mercury. These TMDLs are currently being implemented.
Three nine-element watershed based plans (WBPs) were approved by the Department and are being implemented in the Atlantic Coastal Region:
Implementation of approved WBPs and TMDLs in the Barnegat Bay was a funding priority under the Department’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016 and 2017. In SFY 2016, a Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control pass-through grant of $472,750 was awarded to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea for implementation of Sylvan Lake Living Shoreline Project. In SFY 2017, grants funded under CWA Section 319(h) and other sources were awarded in Atlantic Coastal Water Region including:
$400,000 to Little Egg Harbor Township for a Living Shoreline Project to Provide Resiliency in the Barnegat Bay;
$735,000 to Deal Lake Commission for application of Green Infrastructure in Deal, Sunset and Wesley Lakes
The Department has committed an additional $20 million in funding in SFY 2018 for water quality restoration projects that address NPS pollution sources in the Barnegat Bay Watershed.
The Department published the Barnegat Bay Restoration, Enhancement and Protection Strategy (Phase 2 Strategy) in October 2017. This Phase 2 Strategy builds on existing data, modeling results and research conducted under the Phase 1 Action Plan and identifies a combination of short-term, mid-term, and long-term actions and objectives being implemented to restore, enhance, and protect water quality in the Barnegat Bay Watershed, focusing on four key water quality issues:
Development of a Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load
Identify and Inventory Stormwater Basins in Need of Retrofit
Sea Nettle Management Program
Develop and Implement Stewardship Programs
Now in its eighth year, the annual Barnegat Bay Blitz is a partnership spearheaded by the NJDEP and New Jersey Clean Communities Council to bring together the public, businesses and local governments to clean up the watershed. The Barnegat Bay Blitz is a watershed-wide clean-up event established in 2011 as a component of the Barnegat Bay 10-point plan. Since the Blitz’s inception, more than 31,500 volunteers have cleaned up nearly 3,000 cubic yards of trash and recyclables, and engaged participation from schools, youth groups, businesses and more than 60 partnering organizations. The 2018 Barnegat Bay Blitz will be held on June 8, 2018. Click on the logo below for more information.
Photo credit - NJDEP
Raritan Water Region (2016 Integrated Report)
Integrated water quality assessment is an ongoing process that involves four key, iterative steps: public outreach and stakeholder/partner engagement, water quality monitoring, water quality assessment and implementation of restoration and protection plans and actions. Surface water quality standards, as well as monitoring design and assessment methods, are continuously updated to reflect advances in scientific knowledge about linkages between standards and use support and improved analytical methods and field procedures. Data monitoring helps to assess condition of waters, identify sources of impairment, develop restorative responses, and measure the effectiveness of the responses, leading to target strategies that address the verified causes and sources of impairment. This process is critical to ensuring that New Jersey’s waters are safe for swimming and recreation, fish and shellfish harvested from our waters are safe for eating, water supply sources are safe for drinking, and aquatic life is healthy and sustainable.
The tabs above provide information about the status of each water region as well as results of current and previous assessments. The bars below offer additional information about the rotating regional approach, the assessment program, and general watershed information.
Click the image below to view Raritan 2016 Integrated Report
The Department has partnered with the Sustainable Raritan River Initiative (SRRI) to engage stakeholders in the prioritization and development of strategies for restoration, protection and enhancement of waterbodies in the Raritan Water Region, which is the focus of the 2016 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report). The SRRI is a joint program of Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and School of Environmental and Biological Science. The SRRI works with various stakeholders from the Raritan River Basin and Raritan Bay to balance social, economic and environmental objectives toward the common goal of restoring the Raritan River, its tributaries and its estuary for current and future generations. Recent stakeholder participation included:
June 30, 2016: Raritan Water Regional Informal Work Group
November 9, 2016: Raritan Integrated Report Stakeholder Engagement Workshop
February 23, 2017: Raritan Integrated Report Stakeholder Engagement Workshop
http://raritan.rutgers.edu/conference2018/June 9, 2017: The 9th Annual Sustainable Raritan Conference and Awards Ceremony
This collaborative watershed approach generated a number of grant proposals from a variety of entities that were funded by the Department to implement the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for nutrients in the non-tidal Raritan River (see “Implementation”, below).
The Department’s freshwater monitoring network descriptions are located under the Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring webpage at https://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bfbm/index.html.
The Raritan Region was the focus region for the 2016 Integrated report. A comprehensive, detailed assessment of water quality was conducted using all readily available water quality data. The data time period covered January 1, 2005 to July 15, 2015. The results for the region are represented in the interactive maps for the 2016 Integrated Report Storymap below.
Interactive maps with AU and station results:
Click on the image below for Statewide or Raritan Integrated Reports
Other important documents published by Rutgers SRRI include the publication of their “State of the Raritan Report: Volume 1 and Volume 2” at http://raritan.rutgers.edu/2016-state-of-the-raritan-report/. These reports provide an overview of conditions in the Raritan River watershed by using key indicators of water quality and watershed health. These documents are intended to provide metrics to inform planning, identify data gaps and research needs, as well as provide the baseline of metrics that can be used to measure progress in the protection and restoration of watershed.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Non-Tidal Raritan River Basin was established by the Department in June 2015, approved by USEPA and adopted in May 2016. This TMDL addresses water quality impairments caused by total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, pH and total suspended solids in the non-tidal portion of the Raritan River and its tributaries. Wasteload allocations (WLAs) were set for 45 NJPDES permitted dischargers identified as sources of these pollutants. The WLAs will reduce the amount of these pollutants allowed to be discharged under NJPDES permits once the permits are renewed.
Seven watershed based plans (WBPs) were approved by the Department and are being implemented in the Raritan Water Region:
Implementation of approved WBPs and TMDLs in the non-tidal Raritan River Watershed was a funding priority under the Department’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016 and SFY 2017. In SFY 2016, a CWA Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Control grant of $1,252,750 was awarded to the North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council for implementation of agricultural NPS and stormwater control in the Neshanic River Watershed. In SFY 2017, additional grants funded under CWA Section 319(h) and other sources were awarded for water quality restoration projects in the Raritan Water Region:
$450,000 to South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Program to continue Implementation of the Manalapan Watershed Based Plan (WBP);
$400,000 to Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association for restoration of Beden Brook;
$165,000 to the NY/NJ Baykeeper for the Naval Weapons Station Earle Living Shoreline Project;
$4,600,000 to the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Group for Implementation of Green Infrastructure on Brownfield Site in Perth Amboy;
$600,000 to New Jersey Water Supply Authority for Stormwater Basin Retrofits Phase 1 Franklin Township, Somerset County; and
$145,000 to New Jersey Water Supply Authority for Raritan Agricultural Mini-Grants
Photo credit - NJDEP
Lower Delaware Water Region (2018 Integrated Report)
Integrated water quality assessment is an ongoing process that involves four key, iterative steps: public outreach and stakeholder/partner engagement, water quality monitoring, water quality assessment and implementation of restoration and protection plans and actions. Surface water quality standards, as well as monitoring design and assessment methods, are continuously updated to reflect advances in scientific knowledge about linkages between standards and use support and improved analytical methods and field procedures. Data monitoring helps to assess condition of waters, identify sources of impairment, develop restorative responses, and measure the effectiveness of the responses, leading to target strategies that address the verified causes and sources of impairment. This process is critical to ensuring that New Jersey’s waters are safe for swimming and recreation, fish and shellfish harvested from our waters are safe for eating, water supply sources are safe for drinking, and aquatic life is healthy and sustainable.
The tabs above provide information about the status of each water region as well as results of current and previous assessments. The bars below offer additional information about the rotating regional approach, the assessment program, and general watershed information.
The Department will work with the Delaware Estuary Program and its stakeholders to inform thePartnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) on updating the Comprehensive Coastal Management Plan (CCMP) for the Delaware Estuary. The PDE administers the Delaware Estuary Program, one of 28 National Estuary Programs established under Section 320 of the federal Clean Water Act. The goal of the program is to establish, restore, and protect a healthy and productive ecosystem able to fully support the beneficial uses articulated in each CCMP. The Department and PDE co-hosted a stakeholder meeting on July 27, 2016 at the Burlington County Library in Westampton, New Jersey to kickoff the process for CCMP revision process. Since then, the PDE has conducted a survey of experts and held workshops in the three member states (Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) to gather information and determine priorities for developing actions for the revised CCMP. A series of public workshops were held throughout the Delaware Estuary in 2017 “to reach out to local partners and communities to get new ideas for a draft set of strategies for clean water, strong communities, and healthy habitats in and around the Delaware River and Bay”. New Jersey workshops were held on:
9/12/17 - Tulpehaking Nature Center (Trenton, NJ)
9/28/17 - Camden County Environmental Center (Cherry Hill, NJ)
10/5/17 - Bayshore Center at Bivalve (Port Norris, NJ)
The Department will work with the Delaware Estuary Program and its stakeholders to inform the comprehensive water quality assessment of the Lower Delaware Water Region for the 2018 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report) as part of the rotating regional approach.
The Department conducted ambient and targeted water quality monitoring in the Lower Delaware Water Region between April 2015 and July 2017. This and other readily available data will be used for the comprehensive assessment of the Lower Delaware Water Region in the 2018 Integrated Report. The Department published a data solicitation notice in the October 16, 2017 New Jersey Register encouraging monitors who want their data considered for use in the 2018 Integrated Report to upload their data to one of the specified data repositories by December 31, 2017.
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were established for 15 waterbodies in the Lower Delaware Water Region that were identified on previous 303(d) Lists as impaired for total phosphorus, pathogens, mercury, PCBs, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These TMDLs are currently being implemented.
Three watershed based plans (WBPs) were approved by the Department and are being implemented in the Lower Delaware Water Region:
In SFY 2016, a Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Control grant of $340,000 was awarded to the PDE for expansion of bio-based living shorelines for water quality enhancement along the Maurice River. Grants from other funding sources were also awarded including: $370,000 to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program for green infrastructure in the City of Trenton and $3,200,000 to the City of Trenton for an environmental justice project for the Lower Assunpink Creek, Broad Street Culvert. In SFY 2017, grants funded under CWA Section 319(h) and other sources were awarded in the Lower Delaware Water Region including:
$450,000 to New Jersey Audubon for whole farm agricultural best management practices (BMPs) in Southern New Jersey;
$400,000 to the Trust for Public Land for implementation of green infrastructure in Dominick Andujar Park, Camden
Photo credit - NJDEP
Upper Delaware Water Region (2020 Integrated Report)
Integrated water quality assessment is an ongoing process that involves four key, iterative steps: public outreach and stakeholder/partner engagement, water quality monitoring, water quality assessment and implementation of restoration and protection plans and actions. Surface water quality standards, as well as monitoring design and assessment methods, are continuously updated to reflect advances in scientific knowledge about linkages between standards and use support and improved analytical methods and field procedures. Data monitoring helps to assess condition of waters, identify sources of impairment, develop restorative responses, and measure the effectiveness of the responses, leading to target strategies that address the verified causes and sources of impairment. This process is critical to ensuring that New Jersey’s waters are safe for swimming and recreation, fish and shellfish harvested from our waters are safe for eating, water supply sources are safe for drinking, and aquatic life is healthy and sustainable.
The tabs above provide information about the status of each water region as well as results of current and previous assessments. The bars below offer additional information about the rotating regional approach, the assessment program, and general watershed information.
The Department partnered with the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) in 2000 to bring together major stakeholders, including federal, state, county, and municipal officials, farmers, lake communities, academics, and interested residents to study water quality issues and develop strategies, plans and initiatives to ensure the restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the waterways within the Wallkill River Watershed. Through this process, a strong sense of watershed stewardship was generated, including organization of the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group (WRWMG), which serves as the "Watershed Liaison" for all of Sussex County. The WRWMG established a watershed management program aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollutant loadings, improving water quality, and promoting long-term watershed health through riparian ecosystem enhancement, stormwater management, and agricultural outreach and assistance. The WRWMG also educates local residents about water quality issues and fosters a greater sense of watershed stewardship to ensure the long-term sustainability of local watersheds for future generations. Click here to learn more about WRWMG. The Department will be working with the WRWMG and regional stakeholders to inform the comprehensive water quality assessment of the Upper Delaware Water Region for the 2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report).
The Department is conducting ambient and targeted water quality monitoring in the Upper Delaware Water Region between April 2017 and September 2019. This and other readily available data will be used for the comprehensive assessment of the Upper Delaware Region for the 2020 Integrated Report. The Department published a
notice of data solicitation in the July 2, 2018 New Jersey Register encouraging monitors who want their data considered for use in the 2020 Integrated Report to upload their data to one of the specified data repositories by the September 30, 2018.
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were established for 12 waterbodies in the Upper Delaware Water Region that were identified on previous 303(d) Lists as impaired for total phosphorus, pathogens, arsenic, and mercury. These TMDLs are currently being implemented.
Three watershed based plans (WBPs) were approved by the Department and are being implemented in the Upper Delaware Water Region:
Implementation of approved WBPs and TMDLs in the Upper Delaware Water Region was a funding priority under the Department’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2017 through which $800,000 in grants funded under CWA Section 319(h) and other sources were awarded in to Sussex County Utilities Authority/Wallkill River Watershed Management Group WRWMG for implementation of the Sussex County Watershed Restoration and Stewardship Initiative. To date, the WRWMG has secured funding, generated volunteer participation and services, and provided hands-on coordination, field installation, and ongoing maintenance for over 12 streambank and riparian restoration projects, along more than five miles of waterways in Sussex County. Click here to learn more about these projects.
Photo credit - NJDEP
Northeast Water Region
Integrated water quality assessment is an ongoing process that involves four key, iterative steps: public outreach and stakeholder/partner engagement, water quality monitoring, water quality assessment and implementation of restoration and protection plans and actions. Surface water quality standards, as well as monitoring design and assessment methods, are continuously updated to reflect advances in scientific knowledge about linkages between standards and use support and improved analytical methods and field procedures. Data monitoring helps to assess condition of waters, identify sources of impairment, develop restorative responses, and measure the effectiveness of the responses, leading to target strategies that address the verified causes and sources of impairment. This process is critical to ensuring that New Jersey’s waters are safe for swimming and recreation, fish and shellfish harvested from our waters are safe for eating, water supply sources are safe for drinking, and aquatic life is healthy and sustainable.
The tabs above provide information about the status of each water region as well as results of current and previous assessments. The bars below offer additional information about the rotating regional approach, the assessment program, and general watershed information.
The Department is currently working with the Hudson River Foundation (HRF) on updating the Comprehensive Coastal Management Plan (CCMP) for the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary. The HRF administers the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary Program, one of 28 National Estuary Programs established under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The goal of the program is to establish, restore, and protect a healthy and productive ecosystem able to fully support the beneficial uses articulated in each CCMP. A draft “Action Agenda” for 2017-2022 was published in 2017 and will be refined based on public input into a list of objectives and actions that, coupled with the forthcoming HEP State of the Estuary Report and Monitoring Plan, will constitute the revised CCMP, which is scheduled to be adopted in 2018. The Department will be working with the HRF and HEP stakeholders to inform the comprehensive water quality assessment of the Northeast Water Region for the 2022 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report).
The Department has scheduled ambient and targeted water quality monitoring in the Northeast Water Region to occur between May 2018 and September 2021. This and other readily available data will be used for the comprehensive assessment of the Northeast Water Region in the 2022 Integrated Report. The Department will publish a data solicitation notice in 2021 encouraging monitors who want their data considered for use in the 2022 Integrated Report to upload their data to one of the specified data repositories by the specified deadline.
A comprehensive assessment of the Northeast Water Region is scheduled to commence in January 2022. The draft 2022 Integrated Report, including the draft 2022 303(d) List and a comprehensive assessment of the Northeast Water Region, is due to USEPA by April 1, 2022.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was adopted by the Department in 2008 to address total phosphorus impairment of the non-tidal waters of the Passaic River Basin. Wasteload Allocations (WLAs) were determined for 56 NJPDES permitted dischargers, and Load Allocations (LAs) required the adoption of a low phosphorus municipal ordinance as an additional measure under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit in 72 municipalities in the Passaic River Basin. TMDLs were established by the Department for 12 other waterbodies in the Northeast Water Region that were identified on previous 303(d) Lists as impaired for pathogens, temperature, nickel, and mercury. These TMDLs are currently being implemented.
Two watershed based plans (WBPs) were approved by the Department and are being implemented in the Northeast Water Region:
This spreadsheet contains final determinations for each designated use in every HUC-14 subwatershed: Aquatic life - General, Aquatic Life - Trout, Fish Consumption, Public Water Supply, Recreation and Shellfish.
This spreadsheet contains a list of waterbodies that are impaired for various parameters, and includes a priority ranking of these waterbodies for development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).
This spreadsheet contains a list of waters previously included on the 303(d) List that have been removed due to improved water quality sampling results.
This spreadsheet contains a list of impaired waterbodies with a TMDL that are now showing full support of a designated use, and therefore will be removed from Sublist 4.
In 2002, New Jersey combined these requirements into one biennial, integrated water quality assessment report that provides the information about New Jersey's water resources, current water quality conditions, and causes and sources of water quality impairment needed to inform and guide water quality monitoring, restoration and protection efforts conducted at the state, regional, watershed and local levels. The Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report) combines and satisfies the reporting and public participation requirements of Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (along with Section 314 Clean Lakes Program).
