A framework for comprehensive, integrated, watershed monitoring in New York City

The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Risk Science Institute (RSI) convened an expert panel of scientists to develop recommendations for a comprehensive monitoring program for the Croton and Catskill/Delaware watersheds, which provide drinking water to New York City's residents. This effort was conducted as part of efforts to preserve and enhance the quality of New York City's reservoir system through a watershed protection program. The panel developed recommendations for a strategic framework on which to construct a monitoring program. As part of this activity, the panel determined whether existing monitoring activities were deficient and, where activities were deficient, the panel developed recommendations for additional information that should be collected. The panel recommended the development and use of an integrated approach to watershed monitoring, which draws on modeling, risk-based planning and analysis, statistical sampling and design, and basic compliance monitoring. The approach should be designed to provide an assessment of natural and anthropogenic sources of stress to the system as well as an assessment of water quality trends in response to stresses acting in concert, both over the long term and over the five-year New York City Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) assessment time frame. It should also provide an assessment of the human health and environmental risks posed by a variety of stressors, and the impact of management actions implemented to ameliorate stressors.