The lower Passaic River, near the confluence of the Second River, has shown some of the highest geometric mean pathogen levels in the New York-New Jersey Harbor in recent years, based on sample results from the New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group (NJHDG).

IEC has the capability to perform short-notice inspections, sampling and analyses in response to regional environmental emergencies, concerns, or natural disasters.

In Spring 2016 IEC, EPA and NYSDEC began discussing the need for a coordinated volunteer pathogen monitoring effort in the shared marine waters of the Interstate Environmental District (IED).

Long Island Sound embayments are more prone to hypoxia and other impairments than open waters. However, monitoring has historically been less consistent in embayments than in the open waters of the Sound.

IEC’s staff conducts inspections with sampling at industrial facilities and municipal wastewater treatment plants year-round. These inspections, which are coordinated with state agencies, include effluent sampling and an inspection of processes, equipment, and plant records.

With high population density, extensive coastal development and insufficient tidal flushing, the far western Long Island Sound (also known as the Narrows) is highly susceptible to degradation from pathogen and nutrient inputs due to stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflows, leaking septic systems and aging sewage infrastructure.