POLLUTION LOCATOR| Water | State Clean Water Act Status Report
Clean Water Act Status: PENNSYLVANIA
 
 
  • Clean Water Act Comparative Ranking
    Cleanest/Best States National Average Dirtiest/Worst States
    0%         50%         100%

    Percentage of Surface Waters with Impaired or Threatened Uses (state + EPA data):
    Number of Impaired Waterbodies (as reported by the state):

    NOTE: Data limitations affect the accuracy of these rankings.

    Rank counties in PENNSYLVANIA or in the U.S. by assessed use impairments.
    Rank watersheds in PENNSYLVANIA by assessed use impairments
    Rank states by assessed use impairments, impairments due to specific causes, or impairments due to specific sources

    •   [ top ]
     
     
  • 1998 Clean Water Act Status
    PENNSYLVANIA contains a portion of 52 watersheds.
    Percentage of Surface Waters with Reported Problems (state + EPA data): 15%
    Number of Waterbodies with Reported Problems (as reported by the state): 1039
    Beneficial uses not reported for 100% of waterbodies.

    Priority for Regulation     Number of Waterbodies
    Targeted 91
    High 795
    Medium 0
    Low 114
    Not Assessed for TMDL Priority 0
    Not Reported to US EPA for TMDL Priority 39
    •   [ top ]
     
     
  • Leading Pollutants/Stressors of Surface Waters
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 1018
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in PENNSYLVANIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 15%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Sediments 41%
    Metals 41%
    Nutrients 20%
    Unknown 11%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 10%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 19
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in PENNSYLVANIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 0%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nutrients 74%
    Sediments 42%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 21%
    Pesticides 5%
    Mercury 5%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 2
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Metals 100%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 50%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    •   [ top ]
     
     
  • Leading Sources of Water Quality Problems
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 1018 (cause not reported for 0%)
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in PENNSYLVANIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 15%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Resource Extraction 47%
    Agriculture 27%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 11%
    Hydromodification/Habitat Modification 9%
    Unknown Sources 6%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 19
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in PENNSYLVANIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 0%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Agriculture 63%
    Septic Systems 32%
    Combined Sewer Overflows 26%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 26%
    Other Sources 16%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 2
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Combined Sewer Overflows 50%
    Industrial Point Sources 50%
    Municipal Point Sources 50%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    •   [ top ]