Toxic Contaminants Workgroup

The Toxic Contaminants Workgroup facilitates information sharing on the lessons learned, best practices and most up-to-date science, policy and communications around the toxic contaminants impacting the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Meetings

‍View all meetings‍ View group calendar

About

The Toxic Contaminants Workgroup (TCW) was established in 2014 after the signing of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This workgroup exists to accomplish the Toxic & Emerging Contaminants Outcome in the Watershed Agreement, working to reduce the amount and effect of toxic contaminants, such as PCBs, plastics, mercury and PFAS, on the waters, lands, fisheries, wildlife and communities of the Chesapeake Bay watershed through an increased understanding of their impacts and mitigation options.

While Management Strategies to align with the newly adopted revised Watershed Agreement are being developed, work by the TCW will be guided by member priorities and past workplans. You can view the Toxic Contaminants Research and Toxic Contaminant Policy and Prevention Management Strategies. The 2025-2026 Toxic Contaminants Research Workplan can be found here.

Projects

TCW PFAS Quarterly Meetings and Resources

Complete

The TCW held quarterly meetings from 2023-2025 dedicated to the subject of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). This page contains a consolidation of materials and resources from these meetings and additional PFAS webinars and other resources.

Toxic Contaminants Co-Benefits Materials

Complete

This page includes past materials developed by or for the Toxic Contaminants Workgroup on potential benefits of nutrient and sediment practices to reduce toxic contaminants towards achieving the Toxic Contaminants Goal in the 2014 Watershed Agreement.

Publications

Our Watershed Agreement Goals & Outcomes

Clean Water Goal

Our Members