The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) held its 9th Annual Del-AWARE River Watershed Forum virtually in September 2021. Themed Building Inclusive Partnerships to Defend, Protect, and Restore a Great Water, the three-day event featured dozens of presentations on a variety of topics, as well as in-person field trips. Learn more.

DRBC-Led Session

As part of the Forum, DRBC led a session focused on the evolution of water quality in the main stem Delaware River Estuary. Entitled Restoring Water Quality in the Main Stem Delaware River: Programs, Policies and Strategies, this data-driven session explored how the DRBC is addressing the river’s largest polluting sources, e.g., nutrient pollution, bacteria, salts, toxins, climate change and other emerging contaminants. This session also took a deep dive into the plans, programs and policies that have, over the years, driven measurable changes in water quality improvements and what future strategies are needed to provide a sustainable, more equitably-minded path in these efforts.

Staff featured were DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini, P.E., DRBC Water Resource Scientist Dr. Sarah Beganskas, DRBC Aquatic Biologist Jake Bransky and DRBC Manager of Water Quality Assessment John Yagecic, P.E.

Download DRBC's presentation (pdf)

DRBC Water Quality Programs Discussed included:

Delaware Estuary Water Quality Monitoring Program

DRBC Aquatic Life Designated Use Study

Bacteria

Chlorides/Salinity

Dissolved Oxygen & Nutrients

Living Resources: Fisheries

PCBs and PMPs