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). Since 2016, IEC has partnered with EPA in Phase II of a pathogen trackdown survey along the Second River and lower Passaic River. The objective of the project, is to identify—and ultimately eliminate—sources of pathogens along the Second River.

While data and testing are abundant on the open waters of the Long Island Sound, its embayments are much less studied. The Unified Water Study (UWS), coordinated by Connecticut Fund for the Environment-Save the Sound®, aims to fill in many of the data gaps that exist in LIS embayments. Data on the water quality of Long Island Sound embayments will have countless uses, including comparing embayments environmental health, informing water quality management decisions, and conveying environmental health information to the public.