The Division of Water Monitoring, Standards and Pesticide Control provides water quality information to assess and manage New Jersey’s water resources. This information is critical to knowing whether NJ’s waters are safe to swim in, aquatic life is healthy, fish and shellfish are safe to eat, and contributes information on whether water sources are safe to use for drinking water.
Ecosystem, public health protection and restoration measures are accomplished through:
- Collection of ambient water quality data (fresh, marine and ground water)
- Development of water quality standards
- Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
- Watershed-based restoration plans
- Administration of nonpoint source pollution control projects to help restore impaired waters
The water quality monitoring data is used in the assessment and support of the Department’s responsibilities under:
- Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act
- The federal Safe Drinking Water Act
- The National Shellfish Sanitation Program
- The USEPA’s BEACH Grant
The Division also educates and empowers citizens through the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors and Citizen Science Programs.