We all can play a role in improving water quality in N.J.

BY MICHELE S. BYERS

THE STATE WE'RE IN

One of our state's best-kept secrets is the multitude of local watershed associations. These groups, often supported by many volunteers, monitor water quality, clean up streams, advocate for sound land use protections and educate the public. They know that understanding the connection between what we do to the land and the quality of our drinking water is critical to our survival.

Several watershed groups offer programs emphasizing the link between land stewardship and water quality. The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association is taking an especially strong hands-on approach by offering "River-Friendly Certification" to individuals and businesses.

The River-Friendly program recognizes that water quality and quantity are directly related to decisions we make every day — consciously and unconsciously — about how we use and treat the land. The goals of the program are improved water quality, water conservation, enhanced wildlife habitat and education.

If all the pollution in our lakes, streams and groundwater came from identifiable sources — like a pipe spilling wastewater into a river — it would be easy. Unfortunately, lots of contaminants make their way into water from everywhere. This is called "nonpoint source" pollution because it doesn't originate from one definable point like a pipe or spill.

Nonpoint source pollution comes from many sources, including stormwater runoff, litter, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides and faulty septic and sewer systems. Clean Ocean Action estimates about half of the ingredients in weed- and insect killers applied to lawns in New Jersey's coastal zone ends up polluting streams, bays and the ocean.

And nine out of ten New Jersey beach closures are due to high fecal coliform bacteria levels from contaminated stormwater runoff. Rain water picks up pollutants from streets and lawns upstream and carries them straight to the ocean through storm drains.

To earn River Friendly Certification, work with staff from the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association to evaluate your property, habits and processes. Based on their findings, they'll help you develop and work toward specific goals. Once your goals are met, you receive a River-Friendly lawn sign. To find out more, visit here or call 609-737-3735.

Clean Ocean Action has a similar program called "Barnegat Bay Buddies." Based on a checklist of land use practices and habits, applicants must earn 20 points before applying for certification. Once approved, you receive a 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum Yard Medallion, certificate and additional bay-friendly tips. The checklist can be found at www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=719 (or get a hard copy by calling 732-872-0111).

Even if your local watershed watchdog doesn't yet offer a certification program, it likely has educational programs and resources to help you learn how to become more river-friendly.

For instance, the Upper Raritan Watershed Association in Bedminster now has a staff member who is a rain garden specialist. Rain gardens are designed to soak up 30 percent more stormwater runoff than lawns, reducing nonpoint source pollution and providing wildlife habitat. To find out more about this program, visit www.urwa.org.

To find other programs, check with your local watershed advocate. If you don't know who that is, visit the federal Environmental Protection Agency's "Adopt Your Watershed" page at www.epa.gov/owow/adopt. By entering your ZIP code, you'll get links to maps and local watershed groups.

Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information about conserving New Jersey's precious land and natural resources, and consult the New Jersey Conservation Foundation's website at njconservation.org.