The DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on January 20 to hear a presentation on DEP’s draft 2022 Integrated Water Quality Report which identifies water quality impaired rivers and streams throughout the Commonwealth.

The last Water Quality Report in 2020 identified 25,468 miles of streams for one or more uses-- aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption and water supply.  [Read more here.]

The 2016 Water Quality assessment found 19,900 miles of streams did not meet water quality standards.

The top three major sources of water quality impairment identified in the 2020 report were-- Agricultural runoff 5,765 miles (5,741 miles in 2018 and 6,421 miles in 2016); abandoned mine runoff 5,559 miles (5,576 miles in 2018, 5,595 miles in 2016); and stormwater 3,206 miles (3,066 miles in 2018, 2,902 miles in 2016).

The 2020 report featured an interactive viewer that could zoom in on particular streams and show their water quality status.

Small Preview

As part of DEP’s announcement of the status of the clean up of streams in Pennsylvania part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, DEP said the 2022 Integrated Water Quality Report shows the number of impaired streams in this part of the state dropped from 15,000 miles in 2019 to less than 13,000 in the report.  [Read more here.]

Click Here for a copy of DEP’s presentation.

The meeting will be held in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building starting at 9:00 a.m.  Click Here for remote attendance options.

For more information and available handouts, visit the DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee webpage.  Questions should be directed to Bob Haines 717-705-4090 or robhaines@pa.gov.

[Posted: January 6, 2022]

1/10/2022