Please Note

• The Commission's advisory committees provide a forum for the exchange of information and viewpoints on a variety of issues. Presentations made at public meetings of the Commission's advisory committees are posted on the DRBC web site for the convenience of participants and the public, in order to encourage informed discussion and debate. However, readers are advised that the Commission cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented by individuals who are not members of the Commission staff. The views and information contained in these materials are those of the presenters and unless stated otherwise in a particular document, have not been endorsed by the Commission or its personnel.

Committee Liaison

• John Yagecic, P.E., (609) 883-9500 ext. 271

Stay Up to Date

• Sign up to receive e-mail notification about upcoming committee meetings

Membership

• Committee Members

Resolutions

• Resolution 2019-03 (pdf; Continues Committee)
  
  
• Resolution 2012-07 (pdf; Authorizes the Creation of an Expert Panel to Advise the WQAC and the Commission on the Development and Use of a Delaware Estuary Eutrophication Model)
  
  
• Resolution 2011-03 (pdf; Continues Committee)
  
  
• Resolution 2003-8 (Continues Committee) and Resolution 2008-11 (pdf; Amends Resolution 2003-8 By Modifying Membership)
  
  
• Resolution for the Minutes Establishing Consistent Practices Relating to Membership, Record-Keeping and "Green" Meetings for DRBC Advisory Committees (pdf 86 KB; March 2016)

• • Pursuant to the above Resolution for the Minutes, when posted online, presentations and other documents created for use by an advisory committee shall bear the statement "Presented to an advisory committee of the DRBC. Contents should not be published or re-posted in whole or in part without the permission of the author(s) or the committee."

Learn more about DRBC's Water Quality Programs

• DRBC Water Quality Programs

Study Background

In 2017, the Commissioners directed DRBC staff to complete an analysis of attainability to inform the regulatory process of upgrading aquatic life designated uses and criteria for the Delaware River Estuary. The directive emphasized the importance of using a collaborative process informed by technical studies and specialized scientific and engineering expertise.

• View Resolution 2017-4 (pdf)
  
  
• View Resolution for the Minutes of September 10, 2020 (amends Resolution 2017-4; pdf)

The study seeks to determine the attainability of an improved designated use of fish propagation (i.e., reproduction and juvenile development) in a 38-mile stretch of the Delaware River Estuary around Philadelphia, Camden & Wilmington. Currently, this section of river has a designated use of maintenance (i.e. survival of resident fish and the ability for migratory species to pass through).

• View complete study info, including a presentations & reports archive

NEW! DRAFT Analysis of Attainability (AA): September 2022

The DRAFT AA and several supporting draft reports are now available:

• Analysis of Attainability: Improving Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Life Uses in the Delaware River Estuary (DRAFT; September 2022; pdf)
  
  
• Modeling Eutrophication Processes in the Delaware Estuary: Three-Dimensional Water Quality Model (DRAFT; September 2022; pdf) & Appendices A-H (DRAFT; September 2022; zip)
  
  
• Modeling Eutrophication Processes in the Delaware River Estuary: Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamics Model (DRAFT; December 2021) & Appendices A-N (DRAFT; December 2021; zip)
  
  
• Social and Economic Factors Affecting the Attainment of Aquatic Life Uses in the Delaware River Estuary (DRAFT; pdf)
  
  
• Linking Aquatic Life Uses with Dissolved Oxygen Conditions in the Delaware River Estuary (DRAFT; November 2022; pdf)
  
  
• Nitrogen Reduction Cost Estimation Study: Final Summary Report (submitted to the DRBC by Kleinfelder, Inc.; January 2021; pdf)

The DRAFT AA:

• Describes the results of studies performed with a state-of-the-art hydrodynamic and water quality model, showing the DO improvements to be achieved when ammonia effluent limits are reduced and identifies the highest attainable dissolved oxygen condition, or HADO.
  
  
• Determines that DO levels are most impacted by summer ammonia loads from nine point sources (Philadelphia Water Department's Southwest, Southeast and Northeast wastewater treatment plants and the plants operated by Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, City of Wilmington, Gloucester County Utilities Authority, Hamilton Township, DELCORA and Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority).
  
  
• Summarizes the results of cost and affordability evaluations for reducing ammonia discharges to the Delaware River Estuary.
  
  
• Recommends steps for achieving the HADO.
  
  
• Recommends that the Commission initiate a rulemaking process, as outlined in Resolution No. 2017-4, to revise the designated aquatic life uses and develop water quality criteria to support those uses.

Next Steps

• The DRAFT AA and its supporting documents will continue to be discussed at future WQAC meetings.
  
  
• The DRBC will initiate a public rulemaking process on revised designated uses and associated water quality criteria and an implementation strategy. All stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide their input and perspectives.

DRBC Bacteria Monitoring Study

• View Study Webpage

NGO Petition & DRBC Response

• View NGO Petition dated March 2, 2020 (pdf)
  
  
• View DRBC Response Letter dated June 10, 2020 (pdf)

Presentations from the February 20, 2007 joint meeting with the Monitoring Advisory Committee (link to the presentations on the MACC page)