Water quality improving in New Jersey

[AndyS]

A new long-term analysis commissioned by the DEP and the Delaware River Basin Commission shows that surface water quality in New Jersey is improving. The U.S. Geological Survey analyzed some 82,000 data points collected from 28 monitoring stations over more than 40 years for the study, the most comprehensive of its kind ever undertaken in New Jersey. The USGS found that nutrients that cause excessive algae growth are decreasing or have not changed significantly at most of the stations. The improvements can be attributed to a number of factors, including the modernization and regionalization of wastewater treatment plants, strong laws protecting land along waterways and steps to better manage stormwater that carry nutrients into waterways. The study will serve as a platform for steps to further enhance water quality, Commissioner Martin said.

http://nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0010.htm