Summary

This report provides a broad overview of water quality conditions in the Potomac River, particularly the portion that flows through metropolitan Washington assessment of water quality in the Potomac River shows that the billions of dollars invested by the region’s local governments and utilities on water quality improvements have reduced pollution significantly in a process that COG has assisted. Yet, these improvements do not mean that the river has fully recovered. Reductions are not yet enough to completely achieve water quality standards. Further efforts are needed to meet the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay restoration goals.