July, 2004

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) performs an intensive annual survey of the water quality in New York Harbor. The purpose of the Harbor Survey Program is to assess the effectiveness of the City’s various pollution control programs, and their combined impact on water quality. The 2003 New York Harbor Water Quality Report provides data summaries for the four significant regions of the harbor and includes discussion of our monitoring results as well as trend date dating back to 1970.

Over the next ten years, DEP will be spending approximately $6.5 billion over the next ten years to upgrade wastewater treatment plants around the City and to improve the capture of combined sewer overflows. These investments will help to ensure that the waters surrounding New York City remain healthy for marine life and accessible for New Yorkers’ recreational use.

Questions or suggestions about this report can be directed to Mr. Robert Ranheim of the DEP’s Marine Sciences Section of the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment at (212) 869-9378.

We are proud of the results of our efforts to improve the quality of New York City’s waterways. Your interest in the success of our programs is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,