Water quality in New York State has dropped significantly over the years: according to a 2000 report by the Environmental Protection Agency, 37 percent of New York’s river miles and 77 percent of the State’s lakes are impaired, while 41 percent of our waters are unfishable for food consumption. Clearly, having stringent water quality standards in place for all water uses - particularly drinking - is critical.

Riverkeeper takes every opportunity to improve water quality standards in both state and federal regulations.