That represents an increase from the 2024 Water Quality Assessment showing about 34% of streams were impaired-- 28,820 miles-- and the 2022 report which reported 27,886 miles impaired. Read more here.
Agricultural runoff, abandoned coal mine drainage and urban runoff/storm sewers remain the top for reasons for water quality impairment.
There was an increase in the number of streams assessed between the 2024 and 2026 reports that found 2,845 miles of streams not previously assessed, were now assessed as impaired for one or more reasons.
At the same time, 852 miles of stream previously assessed as supporting uses were found to be impaired and 154 more miles of streams previously impaired were assessed as supporting water quality uses between the 2024 and 2026 reports.
Large Waterbody Reports
DEP completed important assessments of three waterbodies for the 2026--
-- Presque Isle Bay recreational use assessment
-- Delaware Estuary recreational use assessment
-- Lower Susquehanna River aquatic life assessment within the Conowingo Dam Pool in Lancaster and York counties [Impacts of thermal discharges on aquatic life].
DEP encourages the public to make comments on these, and all, new assessments during the public participation period.
Other Water Quality Reporting
The draft Report also includes information on lake water quality, Chesapeake Bay Watershed water quality, some groundwater quality monitoring, general impacts of climate change on water quality, and water quality concerns in Environmental Justice areas.
DEP also tracks the progress of stream restoration efforts and some water quality trends information using selected parameters.
How Clean Is Your Stream
The draft 2026 Water Quality Assessment includes a mapping tool that allows you to check on the status of water quality near you.
Click Here to check how clean your stream is.
Public Comments
DEP is accepting public comments on the draft report until January 27-- 60 days from this notice.
Comments can be submitted through DEP’s eComment webpage, by email to: ecomment@pa.gov or in writing to Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information.
For more information, visit DEP’s Integrated Water Quality Reports webpage. Questions should be directed to or for assistance, contact the Water Quality Division at 717-787-9637 or send an email to RA-epwater@pa.gov.
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP Invites Comments On Draft 2026 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report-- 37% Of PA Streams Have Impaired Water Quality For One Or More Uses; Increase In Streams Assessed [PaEN]
-- Chesapeake Conservancy Honors Former National Park Service Director Robert G. Stanton, Ann Jones, Lysle Sherwin As Champions Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed [PaEN]
-- Environmental Quality Board Meets Dec. 9 On Petitions To Increase Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells, Oil & Gas Wastewater Processing, Water System Operator, Radiation Protection Fees [PaEN]
-- DEP Issues Lazy Oil Company Violations For Abandoning 12 Conventional Wells In Venango County; None Of The Wells Could Be Found At Their GPS Coordinates; If You Know More, Call DEP [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For Site Construction Of Homer City A.I. Data Center Campus 4.5 GW Natural Gas Power Plant In Indiana County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Penn State Extension Watershed Winds Online Learning Opportunities, Interns ID Ag BMP Opportunities
-- Wyoming County Press Examiner: Stanley Cooper Sr. Chapter Trout Unlimited, Wyoming, Luzerne Conservation Districts, EPCAMR, Game Commission Conduct Assessment, Insect Collection Along Bowman Creek
-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader Editorial: Students At Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center Celebrate Giving Back To Nature
-- Inquirer: Meet The People Who Use Pennsylvania Rivers To Create Art
[Posted: November 29, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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