New York to Improve Jamaica Bay Water Quality

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), US, have signed two parallel agreements to improve the water quality and habitat of Jamaica Bay.

The DEP will invest $100m in heightened nitrogen treatment systems at four New York City wastewater treatment plants that discharge into Jamaica Bay.

It will also provide $13m for environmental benefit projects and $2m to restore marsh island habitat in this nationally prominent ecosystem.

The agreement will also monitor the multi-year programme to improve water quality in Long Island Sound through nitrogen treatment upgrades.

The DEP has prepared and submitted, in conjunction with the DEC, a request to the Environmental Protection Agency to designate Jamaica Bay as a marine ‘no discharge zone’, which will prohibit boat operators from dumping the contents of their sewage holding tanks into the bay.