DirtyWaterWatch Public waters. Public record.

Dirty water doesn't always come with a sign.

Sewer overflows and water advisories are reported to the public, but rarely where you'd see them. We put the reports on one map of rivers, lakes and bays across New England and neighbouring states, with what local authorities advise, so you can check your water before you swim, paddle, row or fish.

Updated . 637 waters tracked across Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. Dirty water reported on 18 right now, caution on 7, and 27 with a report whose end hasn't been confirmed. Reports on rivers show along the estimated stretch downstream.

Find your water · See what's been reported

Map sources: water outlines and launches from OpenBoatLaunch and OpenStreetMap contributors (Open Database License); wastewater outlets from EPA and state records; downstream estimates by DirtyWaterWatch using U.S. Geological Survey maps and flow data. Base map: OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.

Replay the last days

Replay the last

Replay uses the reports available in the latest update, including reports filed later. It does not show only what was known at the time.

Map key

  • Discharge or advisory reported shown as solid line or filled water

    A discharge is reported as ongoing, a post-discharge period applies, or an official advisory is listed. Open the report for its source, dates and advice.

    This status does not measure water quality at your location.

  • Caution shown as line with dark dashes inside

    Caution applies after a recent discharge, when a report leaves its status unclear, or during a rainfall advisory. The report explains which rule applies.

    DirtyWaterWatch sets its own post-discharge caution periods. Official rainfall advice is named separately.

  • Discharge likely: heavy rain, no report received shown as caution colour with a dashed outline

    Radar shows that recent rain at a combined sewer system's outlets has reached the amount at which that system has discharged before, and its operator has not reported a discharge. This is an estimate, not a report.

    It does not mean a discharge happened, and it never replaces an official advisory or a reported discharge.

  • End not confirmed shown as hatched line

    A discharge was reported, and we have not found an end time in the sources we track.

    This does not confirm that the discharge continues.

  • No current status shown shown as hollow outline

    No current status is assigned to this water outline. Check the water page for reports and any estimated downstream stretches.

    No status does not mean the water is safe. Follow posted signs and local health advice.

  • Source update overdue shown as purple hatching

    We have not received the expected update from a source that covers this water. Recent reports may be missing.

    It does not mean the source has stopped publishing; our latest check did not bring the expected update.

  • Estimated downstream stretch — not checked by water sampling

    Dashed river stretches show our estimate of the route below a reported discharge. A ring marks where the estimate stops: tidal water, a lake or the distance limit. It does not mark where contamination ends.

Some water outlines have no status. Open a water page to check its coverage and downstream stretches. How we assign statuses.

DirtyWaterWatch tracks public reports. It does not test water or declare it safe. Missing reports and expired advisories do not establish water quality. Follow posted signs and local health advice.

Browse by state

Recent status changes · All tracked reports, by state and year