Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdictions continue working toward nitrogen and phosphorus goals, with sediment goal already achieved

New modeling estimates from the Chesapeake Bay Program show that the jurisdictions of the Bay watershed—New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Delaware and West Virginia—continue to work toward their pollutant reduction goals. As of 2025, jurisdictions have met 100% of their goal for sediment reduction, 90% of their goal for phosphorus reduction and 57% of their goal for nitrogen reduction.

Most jurisdictions in their Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans committed to having practices in place to reduce the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment in order to achieve the Bay’s water quality standards. Chesapeake Bay Program models estimate how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment is reduced through those practices, comparing 2025 conditions to the 2009 baseline established under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL). According to the latest model estimates:

• Overall sediment entering the Bay declined 6.8% from 18.8 billion pounds in 2009 to 17.6 billion pounds in 2025, achieving 100% of the sediment goal of 18.6 billion pounds.
• Overall phosphorus entering the Bay declined 21.4% from 16.8 million pounds in 2009 to 13.2 million pounds in 2025, achieving an estimated 90% of the phosphorus goal of 12.8 million pounds.
• Overall nitrogen entering the Bay declined 15% from 297.1 million pounds in 2009 to 252.7 million pounds in 2025, achieving an estimated 57% of the nitrogen goal of 219.5 million pounds.

Reducing the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that enters the Bay improves water quality, wildlife habitat, and economic and recreational opportunities across the estuary. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algae blooms that can create low-oxygen "dead zones," threatening fish, shellfish and other aquatic life. Meanwhile, excess sediment can smother oyster reefs and block the sunlight needed for healthy underwater habitats.

Since 2009, upgrades to wastewater treatment plants have accounted for the majority of nitrogen and phosphorus reductions across the watershed—contributing to 64% of all nitrogen reductions and 61% of phosphorus reductions. More recently, nonpoint sources such as agriculture and stormwater runoff have played a bigger role, accounting for the largest reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus between 2020 and 2025. For sediment, the agricultural sector was one of the largest sources of reduction, accounting for 43% of all reductions since 2009. Chesapeake Bay Program partners see reductions from these nonpoint sources as being critical to meeting future goals. The Executive Council set 2025 as the target date for these pollutant reduction goals to be met. Under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement updated in 2025, jurisdictions will now continue working toward these pollutant reduction targets through 2030. The targets will be revised by 2030 based on the latest watershed modeling, monitoring data and research findings, and jurisdictions will then develop plans to meet these updated targets by 2040.

Quotes

“This is cooperative federalism in action: state and local leadership, backed by EPA science and resources, delivering healthier rivers, stronger fisheries, and better places to live and work,” said EPA Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom‑Lackey. “These results show that when partners across the Chesapeake Bay watershed work together, we can make meaningful progress; today’s reductions in sediment and phosphorus show that investments and practices already being put in place across sectors, including agriculture, are helping to deliver a healthier Bay.” 

• Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, Regional Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Atlantic Region

“Pennsylvania is doing its part — and these results are proof that working with farmers, local leaders, and non-profit organizations is a blueprint for success,” said Governor Josh Shapiro, chair of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council. “Together, we have made real progress to improve the Bay — in Pennsylvania alone, we have reduced nitrogen pollution flowing to the Bay by ten times more over the past 5 years than in the previous decade, restored enough streams to stretch from Harrisburg to Annapolis, planted nearly 945 miles of stream side forest buffers and added 1.5 million new trees, and helped more than 2,000 farmers adopt conservation practices that protect both their bottom line and our environment. We will continue making progress towards a restored Chesapeake Bay while supporting our farmers, growing our economy, and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth.” 

• Josh Shapiro, Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

"Maryland is proud to have achieved 100% of our sediment reduction goals, 100% of our phosphorus reduction goals, and 99% of our nitrogen reduction goals through decades of statewide work and innovation. As we enter the next phase of Chesapeake Bay restoration, we are building off our success by targeting sources of nonpoint pollution through programs such as the 5 Million Tree Planting effort, the Whole Watershed program, and the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act. We will continue to follow the latest science to build on this progress in partnership with our communities, neighboring states, and the federal government under the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement." 

• Josh Kurtz, Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

“The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and a gift to be shared with future generations. The Commonwealth remains fully dedicated to restoring the health of the Bay and is proud of the partnerships that have resulted in significant reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads while supporting continued economic and population growth. While we celebrate these accomplishments, our job is far from over and it is important to set our sights on what must be done to fully meet our water quality targets.  Virginia recently took a major step toward honoring our commitment by announcing a record-breaking investment of $304 million in the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share program as well as significant investments in wastewater treatment and stormwater management.”

• David Bulova, Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia

"Achieving all of West Virginia's Chesapeake Bay pollutant reduction goals is a significant accomplishment and reflects years of collaboration and investment by our local, state and federal partners and community stakeholders," said West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Cabinet Secretary Harold Ward. "While we're proud of this milestone, we remain committed to building on that progress and continuing to improve water quality across the Chesapeake Bay watershed." 

• Harold D. Ward, Secretary, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection