The Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC) 2004 Delaware River and Bay Integrated List Water Quality Assessment Report provides an assessment of the Delaware River and Bay's support of various uses during 2000, 2001 and 2002. The uses, which are protected by the DRBC's water quality regulations (462 KB; free Adobe reader required to download) or by the federal Clean Water Act of 1972, are:

The assessment primarily involves comparing levels of key water quality indicators (pH, for example) with DRBC stream quality objectives listed in the water quality regulations. DRBC's water quality regulations define "zones" in the Delaware River to which the stream quality objectives are applied and the Integrated Report assesses water quality based in part upon those zones.

Data used for the report come from a variety of sources. The foundation for the assessment comes from DRBC's three water quality monitoring programs that cover different sections of the Delaware River. These include the Scenic Rivers Monitoring Program (From Hancock, N.Y. to the Delaware Water Gap), the Lower Delaware Monitoring Program (from the Delaware Water Gap to Trenton, N.J.), and the Delaware Estuary Boat Run Program (from Trenton, N.J. to the mouth of the Delaware Bay). In addition, data from a variety of other sources were utilized in making the water quality assessments. These other sources include the U.S. Geological Survey, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Stream and Wastewater Treatment Plant Water Quality Monitoring Program, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Surface Water Quality Monitoring Program, the New Jersey DEP Ambient Surface Water Monitoring Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Coastal Assessment program.

Consistent with the U.S. EPA's Guidance for 2004 Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act (July 21, 2003) assessed water bodies are placed into one of five categories:

The report also describes the methodology utilized to assign water bodies to the categories.

The biennial reporting of water quality assessments of the Delaware River and Bay is intended to provide EPA and the public with an overview of water quality conditions, and to provide a basis for further study. More intensive studies and analyses are needed for focusing in on site-specific issues.

2004 Delaware River and Bay Integrated List Water Quality Assessment Report

(Free Adobe Reader is required to download any portion of the report.)

Title Page (356 KB)

Table of Contents (135 KB)

Introduction and Overview (117 KB)

1. Summary (197 KB)

2. Background

4. Ground Water Assessment (138 KB)

Appendix A -- DRBC Water Quality Standards for Drinking Water Sources (158 KB)

Appendix B -- Scenic Rivers Monitoring Program Site Information and Quality Assurance and Control (167 KB)

Appendix C -- Lower Delaware Monitoring Program Site Information and Quality Assurance and Control (157 KB)

Appendix D -- Delaware Estuary Boat Run Program, Site Information and Quality Assurance and Control (141 KB)