Policy Glossary
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Background

A watershed is an area that drains into a common waterway, such as an estuary, lake, ocean, reservoir or river. The watershed includes the lake, river or stream that carries the water, as well as the land from which the water runs. Mountains, hills or ridges provide natural boundaries between different watersheds. Watersheds exist in a range of shapes and sizes and often cross political boundaries.

The continental United States contains approximately 2,100 watersheds. New York State is divided into 17 watersheds, as seen on the map below:

New York State Watersheds

 

 

Source:  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

A variety of overlapping organizations serve to protect watersheds by managing their health and vitality. Maintaining the quality of the water that flows through the watershed is extremely important in preventing contamination of the common drain off area. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state governments, municipalities, and non-profit organizations regulate the amount and quality of the water sources in the watershed. Water quality is determined by the water's most beneficial use - typically, its function as a habitat for aquatic life or for drinking.

A number of phenomena can affect water quality in the watershed, including fertilizers and pesticides in ground water run-off, effluent flows from wastewater treatment facilities, urban/storm water run-off, drought, pollution from industrial sites and flooding. While regulators have become much better at identifying and monitoring large industrial and agricultural sources of ground water contamination, the single largest source of pollution is more difficult to manage.  Diffuse or nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the greatest cause of water quality problems in the United States. NPS pollution occurs when rain, snowmelt or irrigation, runs over land, picks up pollutants, and deposits them into the water system.  The most common NPS pollutants are sediments and nutrients; although, pathogens, salts, oil and chemicals are also a problem. 

In addition to supporting government programs that manage the watershed, individual homeowners can take steps to minimize their impact on the watershed by adhering to the following precautions:

• Limit the use of lawn fertilizers, pesticides and salt for deicing that leach into the ground water.
• Use phosphate free cleaning products and other natural cleansers.

• Properly maintain septic systems to avoid ground water contamination.
• Based on local guidelines, properly dispose of paint, chemicals, batteries and discarded cleaning supplies. Do not pour down the drain or include with regular waste pick-up.
• In conjunction with well-maintained gutter systems, use drywells, culverts and drainage trenches to dissipate storm run off slowly. This will help avoid soil erosion.
• Particularly in steep areas, use plants with strong root systems to combat erosion and aid ground water filtration.

United States

According to the most recent draft of the EPA's National Water Quality Inventory, 44% of the country's assessed rivers and streams and 64% of its assessed lakes and reservoirs are impaired.  (A body of water is considered impaired if any of its intended uses, such as suitability for recreation or drinking, are not met.)

The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, remains the most important piece of legislation protecting U.S. watersheds.  The original legislation focused primarily on point source pollution, but subsequent amendments have broadened its scope.  Today, the Clean Water Act takes a more holistic view, addressing nonpoint pollution sources and the protection of the physical and biological integrity of watersheds. The Clean Water Act is managed by the U.S. EPA, which serves to safeguard the natural environment.

 New York State

The 1997 Watershed Protection Agreement is an agreement between the EPA, New York State, New York City, environmental representatives and 80 municipalities in the watershed regions. The Watershed Protection Agreement seeks to protect New York's water supply, and thus prevent the need for filtration, while protecting the autonomy and economic capability of upstate watershed communities. The agreement also sets standards for the design, construction and operation of wastewater treatment plants, the design and setback requirements for septic systems, and storm water control measures for commercial, residential, institutional and industrial projects. These regulations are enforced by the New York City DEP.

A number of issues affecting New York State's watersheds have been in the news recently.  There is concern that proposed gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, a geologic formation that extends through much of the state's southwest, could contaminate the aquifers that supply drinking water for many New Yorkers. New York City has made protecting the watersheds a high priority because its water system relies primarily on unfiltered surface water.

NYLCVEF

NYLCV Education Fund believes that New York's watersheds must be protected. The clean drinking water provided by our watersheds is the foundation of the health and safety of every New Yorker. NYLCVEF will continue to support legislation that helps preserve this vital natural resource.

 References/Resources:

> Clean Water Act

> EPA facts on nonpoint source water pollution

> Maine Bureau of Land and Water Quality

> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

> Water Encyclopedia