The 2026 Long Island Sound Report Card, released Thursday, used 2025 monitoring data to evaluate five open‑water regions and 62 bay segments, finding that water quality has either improved or held steady across the board. New York City’s Western Narrows earned a D—its first passing grade in 18 years—after every prior year since 2008 had been rated F.
The Western Basin climbed from A‑ to A, the Central Basin from A to A+, and the Eastern Basin maintained an A+, while the Eastern Narrows stayed at B. All three basins now carry A grades, a clean‑cut for the cycle.
Save the Sound attributes the gains to billions of dollars poured into wastewater treatment and stormwater upgrades in Connecticut and New York, and to sustained cuts in nitrogen that stifle algae blooms and hypoxia.
Yet the organization cautions that climate change, rising temperatures, and increased stormwater runoff could undo the progress. State officials say further reductions in nitrogen and continued infrastructure investment are essential to keep the Sound clean.
The report’s data will inform the next state water‑quality strategy, but Save the Sound warns the gains remain fragile without new funding.