This factsheet provides information on the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's 2022 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making, what this means for NYC's waterways, and how you can get involved.

This factsheet outlines background information on water quality standards and classifications and how they relate to New York State's protection for primary contact recreation in NYC's waterways.

This is SWIM's guide for water users, community organizations, and concerned citizens to respond to the City’s Long Term Control Plans to reduce Combined Sewer Overflows.

Our MS4 factsheet is a useful guide to better understand where and how these storm sewers work, as well as how to alleviate some of the pressures put on them.

​The CSO factsheet explains why exactly overflow events pose such a threat to NYC’s water quality, and some of the measures the City and State are taking to address them.​

Here is an overview of the Long Term Control Plan process, waterbody-specific strategies to reduce CSO events. We believe it is critical that local stakeholders have a voice in the plans. Below are factsheets based on the latest LTCPs drafted by the City.

Many SWIM organizational members have also signed onto our Clean Waterway Principles for New York City, meant to ensure fishable and swimmable waters citywide. These principles have been shared with DEP and DEC, as well as with the NYC Council, borough presidents, NYC Mayor’s Office, and other elected officials. Their foundation includes:

• Ensure decision making is inclusive and transparent

• Meet federal health standards

• Focus on reducing volume and frequency of CSOs throughout the city

• Do not kick the can down the road

• Prioritize green infrastructure

• Protect communities and guarantee equity

• Protect fish and coastal habitat by reducing nitrogen pollution

• Develop smarter and fairer approaches to funding water quality infrastructure

• Use a holistic planning approach to address all pollution sources in all New York City waters