Water Quality

Improving & maintaining water quality is critical to the health of the estuary & economy.

Improving and maintaining water quality in the estuary is critical to Reserve health and the local economy. The health of the Reserve is primarily impacted by pollutants in tributaries and bays, including nutrients, pathogens, emerging contaminants, herbicides and pesticides, and marine debris. Major sources of pollution include municipal wastewater, inadequate onsite wastewater disposal systems (including cesspools), fertilizer, stormwater, and improper disposal of boat waste, plastics and other marine debris. The impacts of this decline in water quality is illustrated by reduced clam landings, increased occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs), increased hypoxia/anoxia, and loss of seagrass and marsh habitat.

Water quality issues addressed in the CMP include:

Nutrient Pollution
Eutrophication, Low Dissolved Oxygen and Bay Water Acidification
Ecosystem Impacts
Harmful Algal Blooms
Pathogens
Marine Debris
Emerging Contaminants
Manufacturing/Industrial Products and Byproducts
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
Pesticides and Herbicides
Microplastics