Over 500,000 people live within the Barnegat Bay watershed, which includes nearly all of Ocean County. That population doubles in the summer as people flock to the shore from nearby Philadelphia, New York, and other parts of New Jersey. The continued economic health of the Barnegat Bay watershed is dependent on the continued health and natural beauty of its waters.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Department of Planning, is committed to working with its partners to maintain and restore the health of the Barnegat Bay Watershed.

Wastewater Management

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Department of Planning is the designated wastewater management planning agency for the County and the portion of Monmouth County located within the Metedeconk River drainage Basin. Read more.

Stormwater Management

Stormwater runoff has been identified as the leading threat to the water quality in the Barnegat Bay. As populations and development continues to increase within our coastal communities, more contaminants find their way into the Bay, impacting our coastal quality of life. Ocean County is working with Federal, State, and regional agencies and its towns to reduce the amount of polluted runoff. Read more.