Monitoring toxicity is an essential component of programs designed to protect water quality and assess compliance with regulatory standards. Based on DRBC's water quality regulations for the Delaware Estuary, no adverse effects on aquatic life should be observed in short-term and long-term toxicity tests with undiluted ambient water.

DRBC conducts periodic monitoring of ambient water toxicity in the Delaware Estuary. On August 11, 13, and 15, 2014, staff sampled the tidal Schuylkill River. DRBC's Executive Director, Steve Tambini, joined the monitoring team on August 15, 2014.