Pathogen Reduction Program

Restoration Actions

The department works with local stakeholders to develop restoration plans to eliminate releases of pathogen-laden waste, improving waterbodies so they can be used for swimming, paddling, and fishing. DEP recommends local stakeholders take a holistic approach to restoration. Start with checking fecal indicator bacteria levels through water quality monitoring, then assess whether those levels are meeting or exceeding the state criterion. Catalog potential sources in the watershed and implement a comprehensive set of programs and strategies to address each source type. Conduct monitoring and inform the public of the effectiveness of source-reduction programs. View the Reducing Pathogens Story Map to learn more about this approach, to see examples of causes and solutions, and to learn how you can help keep your waterbodies safe for future generations. 

Reducing Pathogens Story Map
View Full Size Story Map | Download an Accessible Document (.PDF format)

Restoring Bacteria-Impaired Waters

Restoring Bacteria-Impaired Waters: A Toolkit to Help Local Stakeholders Identify and Eliminate Potential Pathogen Problems

The toolkit is a restoration guide for municipalities, built from the department’s experiences across the state in collaborating with local stakeholders on pathogen source identification and elimination efforts. This document provides useful information for identifying sources of fecal indicator bacteria and examples of management actions to address these sources. It is useful during all stages of restoration plan development and implementation, whether the plan is a formal Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP), a Bacteria Pollution Control Plan required by a stormwater permit, or another approach. 

Basin Management Action Plans for Pathogens