How clean is the Raritan River? Watchdog issues report

The Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a watchdog group that keeps an eye on the longest river within the borders of New Jersey that supplies drinking water to more than 1.8 million state residents, says the health of the region's waterways has slightly improved, but still earns a grade of C.

"The Raritan River's journey begins here, in a beautiful, delicate web of headwater streams. It’s essential that we keep this water clean—not only for the millions of New Jersey residents who rely on it for drinking but also for the entire Raritan River ecosystem, all the way down to the bay,” said Mara Tippett, RHA’s executive director. "That's why we're aiming for an A+. Achieving this will require significant effort and cooperation from many partners. Everyone has a role to play in this mission.”

In its annual report card on the water quality in the 470-square-mile North and South Branch Raritan River watershed in Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties, the RHA found the waterways are vulnerable to contamination from many sources, including fertilizers and pesticides, road salt, failing septic systems, animal waste, and chemicals from leaking underground tanks and toxic industrial sites.

Of the 52 sub-watersheds in the region, four received A grades, 15 received B grades, 14 received Cs, 13 received Ds, and six received Fs.

The sub-watersheds graded F include Peapack Brook and Middle Brook in Somerset County, both tributaries of the North Branch; the northernmost tributary of the Black River in Morris County; a section of Rockaway Creek in Hunterdon County; and the Spruce Run Reservoir/Willoughby Brook sub-watershed in Hunterdon County.

Receiving A grades were the northern section of the South Branch in Morris County below Budd Lake; an upper section of the North Branch in Morris County; a section of the Spruce Run stream between Glen Gardner and the Spruce Run Reservoir; and the Mulhockaway Creek in Hunterdon County, a South Branch tributary.

Among the areas graded D were the Pleasant Run in Readington and Branchburg, the South Branch from Prescott Brook to Three Bridges in Raritan Township and Readington and Chambers Brook in Branchburg.

The overall C grade is based on hundreds of stream quality measurements taken at 72 sites throughout the watershed by RHA staff and trained volunteers. The team checks if the water is clear or cloudy, and tests for temperature, pH levels, dissolved oxygen, and a range of contaminants.

The testers also dragged nets along stream beds to check for small creatures that are indicative of clean water.

“The watershed is also home for a diversity of native wildlife, including many endangered and threatened species,” said Dr. Kristi MacDonald, RHA’s science director. “These animals need clean water and healthy ecosystems just as much as people do.”

One of the primary factors in the health of the waterways has beendevelopment which has reduced buffers that protect water quality by shading streams from summer sun to keep water temperatures cool and also slow down stormwater runoff, preventing soil and contaminants from washing into the water.

“Everything that we put on the land ends up in the water,” Tippett said. “When it storms, all that rainwater washes contaminants into the nearest stream, and eventually they make their way into the Raritan River, ultimately ending up in the Atlantic Ocean. No one person or agency can solve this issue on their own, but everyone can do something.”

RHA advises residents can improve water quality by reducing fertilizers and pesticides uses on their properties or eliminating them entirely. The group also encourages municipal officials to be aware of the use of road salt in the winter.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com