More Needs To Be Done To Limit Pollution Into Raritan River
The Raritan watershed, commonly known as the Raritan River Basin, covers 1,100 square miles, including the Raritan River, the North and South Branches of the Raritan, and the Millstone River as well as tributaries such as Lawrence Brook and Green Brook. It is the largest river system entirely within New Jersey and supplies (via pumping) the Spruce Run and Round Valley reservoirs. The Raritan River proper forms at the confluence of the North Branch and the South Branch just west of Somerville. It flows 16 miles before slowing in tidewater at New Brunswick. Its estuary extends 14 miles more until reaching the Raritan Bay at South Amboy.
The Sustainable Raritan River Initiative lists over 60 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Superfund sites within one mile of the Raritan River. Many other contaminated sites also drain into the river. Current release of toxic chemicals from industrial sources can be obtained from the website of the US EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The latest available data, 2015, indicates that 137 pounds of the toxic chemicals tracked by the EPA were released into the water in Middlesex County. In Somerset County water released toxics totalled 2 pounds. The two counties account for a very small fraction of the 4.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals released into the waters of New Jersey (and NJ is far from the worst state in released toxics per square mile).
Of course, industrial releases are only part of “point source contaminants", defined by the US Geological Survey (USGS) as "any substance that degrades water quality and originates from discrete locations such as discharge pipes, drainage ditches, wells, concentrated livestock operations, or floating craft." Sewage treatment plants are a significant, but declining, source of pollution, especially "nutrient" pollution such as phosphorus. Landfillsthat were not well designed or well maintained can be an important source of pollution in some areas.
For many years the primary focus of reducing water pollution was on point sources. The focus is now shifting to the reduction of nonpoint source pollution using improved methods and materials. The USGS defines a nonpoint-source water contaminant as "a substance that pollutes or degrades water that comes from lawn or cropland runoff, the atmosphere, roadways, and other diffuse sources". Nonpoint source pollution typically originates with rainwater, snowmelt, or irrigation. Of special importance in our area is stormwater runoff, which occurs when significant rainfall or snowmelt can't soak into the ground because of numerous impervious surfaces such as roads. In some urban areas a system of sewers separate from the system carrying human and industrial waste takes stormwater runoff to local rivers and streams without treatment. Much worse are single systems, which mix stormwater runoff with human and industrial waste and discharge the mixture without treatment when the total volume exceeds the capacity of water treatment plants, a process referred to as a combined sewer overflow. The only areas in the Raritan Valley region that have combined sewer systems release untreated waste in or near Raritan Bay.
Reducing non-point source pollution will require multiple methods, including activities undertaken by both government and commercial entities as well as individuals. Municipal and county governments can provide infrastructure that direct stormwater runoff into modern or updated stormwater basins. Runoff can be decreased through the use of porous pavements that allow rainwater to soak into the ground below parking lots, driveways, and other paved areas. Homeowners can collect rainwater in rain barrels for later use, plant rain gardens to reduce runoff, and make sure that fertilizer and pesticide use is kept to a minimum.
Links to Additional Information & Educational Resources:
Publications
Watershed Restoration, NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Raritan Reports and Studies Sustainable Raritan River Initiative
River-Friendly Resident Online Guidance Materials NJ Water Supply Authority
Organizations:
Raritan Basin Watershed Alliance NJ Water Supply Authority
Raritan Headwaters Association
Sustainable Raritan River Initiative