As summer winds down, New Jerseyans are soaking up the last weeks of warm weather. Whether it’s hiking through scenic trails, enjoying community fairs and festivals or spending weekends at the ocean, it’s worth remembering the natural systems that make it all possible — especially the water sources that fuel our seasonal activities and everyday lives.
Source water refers to the rivers, lakes, reservoirs and aquifers that supply drinking water to New Jersey homes and businesses. When contaminants enter the water supply, they put public health and community well-being at risk.
At New Jersey American Water, our source water protection efforts work to identify potential risks and implement strategies to address them, working with local partners, community groups, academic institutions and water policy experts each step of the way.
While institutions must work together to protect our source water, there are also steps we can take in our daily lives to protect and preserve these drinking water sources.
Possible risks to source water quality are numerous, ranging from naturally occurring pollutants to hazardous materials located near the source or transported across it.
These past few summers, we’ve seen rapid growth of harmful algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs across the state. These algae overgrowths usually form from stormwater that carries toxins and chemicals from our roads, lawns and backyards into water sources. When these blooms happen, they threaten water quality and prevent people from swimming, boating and fishing in lakes, reservoirs and waterways.
The good news is the actions we take can help reduce the impact or even prevent algal blooms. It’s just another example of how everyday choices — what we pour down the drain or the fertilizer we use on our lawns — can have a big impact on water quality.
To help keep contaminants out of waterways, residents can:
- Use and dispose of harmful materials properly.
- Dispose of pharmaceuticals by taking them to collection sites, where available. Don’t flush them down the toilet!
- Check for leaks from heating fuel tanks and automobiles.
- Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn or consider natural alternatives.
- Clean up litter, pet waste and lawn clippings from yards that may end up in the storm drains when it rains.
- Fuel boats cautiously and keep engines well-tuned to prevent oil leaks.
- Properly abandon and seal old wells on properties. Do not use them for disposal pits!
- Inspect septic systems and have them serviced regularly — usually every 3-5 years.
- Report any spills, illegal dumping or suspicious activity to local or state authorities.
Businesses can also play a big role in protecting water supplies by following best management practices for storing, handling and reporting information about materials at their facilities. Businesses should:
- Ensure that they follow all applicable regulations related to waste management, including wastewater and stormwater discharges. Keep permits up to date and comply with permit requirements.
- Follow industry best practices for proper materials management, including the responsible selection, use, storage, transport and disposal of products.
- Develop and maintain pollution prevention and spill response and prevention plans that identify measures to prevent releases to waterways.
- Train employees on proper material handling and spill response procedures.
- Secure storage areas against unauthorized entry.
- Investigate the routing of floor drains. It is typically recommended that floor drains connected to sanitary or stormwater sewers in the vicinity of hazardous material be capped.
- Inspect vehicles regularly to be sure they aren’t leaking fluids like oil or antifreeze.
- Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides on the property or consider natural alternatives.
- Report any spills immediately to proper authorities. Report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.
Community-minded New Jerseyans can also find opportunities to help preserve our local waterways and streams by joining cleanup groups and events, participating in a collection day for household materials and pharmaceuticals, or simply raising public awareness by sharing this information with their neighbors.
Warm weather may only last a few months, but the decisions we make to protect our water sources have a lasting impact. Whether it’s being mindful at home, responsible at work or active in our communities, we all have a role to play in protecting our most precious resource. Let’s keep New Jersey’s water safe and clean for everyone to enjoy.
Andrea Castro is the director of water quality and environmental compliance at New Jersey American Water.
