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The Bay cannot be restored without water that is clean, clear and rich in oxygen. Currently, the Bay and its rivers receive too much pollution for the ecosystem to remain healthy. The primary sources of pollution are agricultural land, wastewater treatment plants, urban and suburban runoff, and air pollution.

Nutrient and sediment pollution control efforts are measured with four indicators:

• Agricultural Pollution Controls
• Urban/Suburban Lands Pollution Controls
• Watewater Pollution Controls
• Air Pollution Controls

Quantitative goals have been set for these indicators. When the goals are reached, it should mean that efforts needed to reduce pollution have been implemented.

Long-term trend (1985-2008)

• Reducing Pollution Index scores for nitrogen increased from 0 percent to 47.3 percent of goal achieved.
• Reducing Pollution Index scores for phosphorus increased from 0 percent to 62.9 percent of goal achieved.
• Reducing Pollution Index scores for sediment increased from 0 percent to 64.3 percent of goal achieved.

Short-term trend (10-year trend)

Between 1999-2008:

• Reducing Pollution Index scores for nitrogen increased from 30.3 percent to 47.3 percent of goal achieved.
• Reducing Pollution Index scores for phosphorus increased from 52.1 percent to 62.9 percent of goal achieved.
• Reducing Pollution Index scores for sediment increased from 43.7 percent to 64.3 percent of goal achieved.

Change from previous year (2007-2008)

• Reducing Pollution Index scores for nitrogen increased from 46.7 percent to 47.3 percent of goal achieved.
• Reducing Pollution Index scores for phosphorus increased from 62 percent to 62.9 percent of goal achieved.
• Reducing Pollution Index scores for sediment increased from 63.7 percent to 64.3 percent of goal achieved.

The states in the Bay watershed and the District of Columbia have developed strategies for reducing pollution in their jurisdictions. Progress is measured by using the most up-to-date monitoring and tracking data gathered by Bay Program partners. Computer simulations are used to estimate the amount of pollution control efforts implemented in relation to the commitments made by the Bay jurisdictions in their cleanup strategies.

Percent achievement values for each indicator assessed in the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment categories are weighted according to their contribution to overall loads to create the index scores.

• Agriculture Nitrogen
• Agriculture Phosphorus
• Agriculture Sediment
• Wastewater Nitrogen
• Wastewater Phosphorus
• Urban / Suburban Nitrogen
• Urban / Suburban Phosphorus
• Urban / Suburban Sediment
• Air Nitrogen

• Nitrogen in Rivers Entering Chesapeake Bay: Flow Adjusted Concentration Trends through 2008
• Phosphorus in Rivers Entering Chesapeake Bay: Flow Adjusted Concentration Trends through 2008
• Sediment in Rivers Entering Chesapeake Bay: Flow Adjusted Concentration Trends through 2008

For more information contact: Nita Sylvester at 800-968-7229 ext. 711