State of Connecticut

Goals and Benchmarks
For the Year 2000 and Beyond
Air, Water, and Soil Quality

The emission and discharge of regulated pollutants over the past 20 years has declined, in some cases dramatically -- sulfur dioxide, particulates, lead, suspended solids, and chemical oxygen demand. However, air and water resources remain below health standards and progress must shift toward problem emissions -- volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, nitrogen and selected toxics. Further, it must shift from point sources to non-point and mobile sources. Threats to recreational lakes, water supply reservoirs, inland and tidal wetlands, smaller streams, and air quality are now more related to nonpoint and mobile sources of pollution. In the face of continuing land development, addressing these sources of pollution is becoming increasingly urgent and necessary to achieve and maintain air and water quality goals.

Connecticut's air, water, and land resources will be restored and maintained at adopted health and environmental standards. 

			1985	 1990	1992-4	2000	2005	2010	2015

Number of days per year 
all CT residents breathe 
healthy air			  350	   355	 358     360	 365	 365

Percentage reduction of 
ozone precursors from 1990 
levels				    0	          27	  42	  42	  42

Percentage of surface waters that have attained adopted standards:							
  River miles that are 
  clean enough for 
  fishing and swimming			    62	  72	  80	  90	 100

  Shoreline and estuary 
  areas supporting 
  designate uses            60	   60	    60	  70	  80	  90	 100

  Number of municipalities 
  with combined sewer 
  overflow problems			    13	   7	   4	    3	   2

Area of state where the 
groundwater quality must 
be improved (in square 
miles)	                   100		
				
Percentage of degraded lakes with improving water quality	
						
Percentage reduction of 
nitrogen load to Long Island Sound	     0	  25	  40	  50	  59

Number of reported 
non-transportation spills, 
releases and improper 
disposal			       4000-6800				
Percentage of facilities operating in substantial compliance with state and 
federal environmental regulations or standards: 							
  Solid or hazardous waste 
    management facilities			  75	  90	  90	 100
  Major surface water 
    discharges				    90	 100	 100	 100	 100

See Endnotes on Air, Water, and Soil Quality.
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