New York City's Waterborne Disease Risk Assessment Program was established to: (a) obtain data on the rates of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, along with demographic and risk factor information on case-patients; (b) provide a system to track diarrheal illness to assure rapid detection of any outbreaks; and (c) determine the contribution (if any) of tap water consumption to gastrointestinal disease. The program, jointly administered by the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene and Environmental Protection, began in 1993. Produced annually, these reports provide an overview of program progress, and data collected during the reported year.
New York City has been collecting water quality data in New York Harbor since 1909. These data are utilzed by regulators, scientists, educators and citizens to assess impacts, trends and improvements in the water quality of New York Harbor. Today the Harbor Survey Program is managed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.