Programs Well Testing
Environmental Education
River Monitoring
Stream Clean-up
Hunterdon County Green Table
Technical Advisory Committee

Well Testing

Despite our proximity to the Delaware River, the South Branch Raritan River, Round Valley Reservoir, and Spruce Run Reservoir, residents of the South Branch watershed rely primarily on ground water for household water supplies. In contrast, New Jerseyans in other parts of the state depend upon surface water resources from a public water purveyor.

Private wells carry a certain vulnerability. Their risk comes from how the land surface is being used - or abused. The closer a well is to a source of groundwater contamination, the higher the risk of contaminated water. While water companies are required by law to test customers' water regularly, owners of private wells are 'on their own.' It is your responsibility to care for your private well!

If your household water comes from a private well, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the water should be tested once a year to be sure the well is free from harmful bacteria and nitrates. It is also important to test for other pollutants periodically. For more information, contact your local Department of Health. SBWA's well testing program enables residents to have their water analyzed for commonly occurring groundwater pollutants such as bacteria and nitrates.

FYI:
What should I test for?
Well Test Sampling Instructions

Community Well Testing Program

SBWA partners with local Environmental Commissions to offer residents the opportunity to test their well water at reduced rates. Environmental Commissions decide when to offer the testing and SBWA provides well testing kits that are assembled by volunteers. The Commission advertises the test date, and kits go on sale approximately a month before the resident is to return the kit to the municipality. On the designated day, residents return their kits to the municipal building. Volunteers from the Environmental Commission then deliver the samples to the SBWA office, where they are picked up by Garden State Labs (a state-certified laboratory) for analysis.

The "Basic Kit" tests for coliform bacteria and nitrates. Residents can also choose to test for Volatile Organics, Lead, or Pesticides for an additional cost. Most municipalities offer the program at approximately the same time each year, so if you are interested in participating, watch for the advertisement in your township newsletter, or call SBWA to find out when your Commission is scheduling their test dates.

SBWA would like to thank all of the volunteers from the Environmental Commissions who donated their time to schedule and advertise the testing, and assemble and collect kits. We'd also like to thank the municipal employees who helped by selling kits to the residents!

If you want your town to participate in our Community Well Testing Program, contact SBWA and your municipality's Environmental Commission. Check our calendar to find out when the Well Testing program is scheduled to take place in your community. You can also call your local municipal office to find out if your municipality is offering a Community Well Testing Program.

Individual Homeowner Testing Program

SBWA members are entitled to receive one free bacteria coliform test annually as part of their membership benefit. SBWA also offers other discounted water tests to our members. SBWA offers the following tests for members:

Total Coliform (free with SBWA membership of $50 or more)
Nitrates Hardness Iron Manganese Lead Copper Sodium		Arsenic Mercury Fluoride VOs Pesticides Herbicides PCBs

Contact SBWA for more information on well testing.

For additional information on water quality testing, see the following publications:

• Drinking Water: What Tests Do I Need? [PDF format]
  published by Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension
• Children and Drinking Water Standards [PDF format]
  published by Environmental Protection Agency
• Drinking Water From Household Wells [PDF format]
  published by Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Education

The goal of environmental education is "to develop in the citizens of the state the knowledge, attitudes, values, skills, and behaviors needed to maintain, protect, and improve the environment" (Environmental Education in NJ: A Plan of Action, NJ Commission on Environmental Education, 1993).

SBWA's current environmental education program, the Waterways Stewardship Project (WSP), seeks to foster a sense of stewardship for the river that flows through the students' communities (see WSP Brochure). For over eight years, SBWA has been using this program to educate students about watersheds, groundwater, and water quality issues. Students can access the WSP and the interactive mapping site, A Virtual River Experience (previously known as The Explorer Project).

The Waterways Stewardship Project consists of two program components: an in-school 90-minute session and an in-field 2.5-hour session. The in-school lesson is composed of three 30-minute presentations that use slides and interactive activities to engage the students. The three sessions are:

• What is your watershed address?
• What is groundwater?
• An introduction to Biological Monitoring for Water Quality

The in-field lesson allows students to venture into the South Branch Raritan River (or a tributary) and conduct hydrological and biological monitoring of the waterway. Students follow an EPA approved protocol that has been adopted by SBWA to collect a biological sample of macroinvertebrates. In-field activities include:

• Collection of an official sample of macroinvertebrates that is sent to a certified laboratory for analysis
• Collection and identification of macroinvertebrates on site
• Use of a dichotomous key and field guide
• Assessment of river hydrology, stream habitat, and surrounding land uses
• Compiling and recording of data on provided sheets

FYI: What is a Benthic Macroinvertebrate?

The WSP meets several NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. The WSP is an interdisciplinary program, synthesizing knowledge and experiences across subject disciplines. It allows students to explore the complex relationships that exist between humans, the built environment, and the natural environment. It strives to present factual, accurate, and balanced content, presenting all sides of a topic and encouraging students to examine their own opinions and attitudes. The program helps to develop both critical and creative thinking skills in all student populations. The in-field monitoring session creates hands-on, minds-on investigations that engage students and feature student-centered learning through real-world applications.

The project does not stop once the students leave the waterway. Students are encouraged to post their data on a website that was developed specifically for the WSP. Students can post their hydrologic and visual assessment stream data. In addition, they can post the results of the Official Macroinvertebrate Sample that was analyzed by a certified lab. Students and teachers can leave messages in a "Talk Back" area, download lessons and research papers, and find links to other websites for more information. The students can even begin analyzing and understanding how land uses and changes in land use can affect water quality.

Using a web-based mapping software called ArcIMS, students can look at topographic maps, aerial photographs and associated data sets such as streams, rivers, and land use/land cover, and compare land use changes from 1985 and 1995-1997. They can hypothesize the impact the land use changes have had on the water quality at their monitoring site. This technology creates a real-life environmental science project that actively uses the Internet to gain and analyze information. Students can interact with other classes and schools to exchange their findings. The program creates a lasting impact on the students by giving them the information to make effective decisions to protect and improve their local environment.

SBWA's current environmental education program is made possible through a grant with the Geraldine R. Dodge foundation. See Event Highlights for participating schools and photos of this environmental education program.

Event Highlights: 2008 Waterways Stewardship Project | 2006 | 2004 | 2003

We want your school involved in watershed education!
To find out how you and your school can become involved in a real-life science project, contact our Program Director at the SBWA office.

See also: WSP Brochure (11/8/2005) [PDF format]

Healthy Water, Healthy People Program
The goal of the Healthy Water, Healthy People Program is to encourage investigation of the connections between water quality, the environment, and human health. The Educators Guide has 25 hands-on, science-based lessons that are cross-referenced to the water testing kit and manual, web sites, and the National Education Standards for grades 6 to 12. Inquiry-based investigations promote individual understanding and integration of water quality principles and values. The Test Kit Manual provides background information on 10 water quality parameters with lessons and demonstrations. It also provides case studies that have real-world applications and helpful water monitoring information.

River Monitoring

Started in 1994, the Volunteer Biological Monitoring Program's mission is to promote the conservation of water quality in the South Branch of the Raritan River watershed. The objective of the program is to obtain baseline benthic macroinvertebrate data to be used as an indicator of water quality in the South Branch Raritan River using a core group of volunteers. Currently, the program monitors 18 sites in the watershed (see River Monitoring Sites for photos and map of sites throughout the watershed.) The program also seeks to educate the public about volunteer stream monitoring, the health of our local waterways, and how macroinvertebrate monitoring of the river can help to assess the health of the watershed.

Trained volunteer "water stewards" collect data during a 2-week period in June. These volunteers attend a day-long workshop prior to the collection days to learn proper protocols for collecting the samples. EPA's Rapid Bioassessment Protocols are used as a model for sampling. Volunteers go to their assigned location and collect an official macroinvertebrate sample. General information on the site is also recorded. Official samples are sent to a certified lab to be identified down to the species. The results are analyzed and presented at an annual conference held in November.

Samples are collected during the last 2 weeks in June and are sent to a laboratory to be analyzed down to the species level. Results of the monitoring are presented at a conference. (Please contact the SBWA office for more information. Check our calendar for the scheduled conference date.) In addition, the interactive mapping site, The River Monitor, allows you to view the SBWA’s volunteer biological river monitoring data collection online in an innovative hands-on way.

For additional information, see the highlights (summary, training experts, event photos) of previous years' events.
Event Highlights: 2009 Biological Monitoring | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

The workshop is free to volunteer water stewards. If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer "Water Steward," please contact our Program Director at the SBWA office.

See the 2007 Comprehensive Report for 12-year biological monitoring trends of the South Branch Raritan River.

FYI: What is a Benthic Macroinvertebrate?

Read about how three New Jersey teens help protect their local water supply: Watching and Wading, Current Health 2, March 2006 issue.

Stream Cleanup

Since 1991, SBWA has organized waterway clean-ups as part of its ongoing effort to protect water quality in the watershed and promote good stewardship of this vital resource. Beyond protecting water quality in the watershed and preserving important animal habitats, the clean-ups are community activities, which prove the public's commitment to a healthier environment. SBWA has coordinated waterway clean-ups for the past 12 years to remove litter from the River and its tributaries. The main clean-up effort is held in the Spring to coincide with Earth Day celebrations. Another clean-up effort may be scheduled in the Fall.

The tremendous success of the stream clean-ups is due to the contributions of many individuals, sponsors and partners throughout the watershed. Volunteer coordinators help to organize the clean-up at specific sites within the watershed. Volunteers are provided with trash bags, gloves, shovels, rakes and other assorted clean-up tools as well as fun along the banks of the river. In addition to monetary support, many local businesses support the clean-up by donating goods for the volunteers.

For additional information, see the highlights (summary, event photos, and sponsors) of previous years' events.
Event Highlights: 2009 Spring Clean-up | 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Please contact the SBWA office if you are interested in volunteering for future clean-ups or if you know of a site that needs cleaning up.

Hunterdon County Green Table

Land preservation in Hunterdon County depends on the cooperative efforts of individuals, non-profit organizations, municipalities, the county, and the State. The Hunterdon County Green Table was initiated by SBWA in 2001. The mission of the Green Table is to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas in order to improve communication, develop successful partnership ventures, identify land preservation resources and broaden awareness of conservation efforts throughout the county. Some of the topics covered include "Land Preservation Efforts across Municipal Boundaries" and "Conservation Easements I: Drafting Easements" presented by Margaret Waldock from the NJDEP Green Acres Program. Other topics have included the "Spruce Run Initiative" presented by Dan VanAbs, PhD., with the NJ Water Supply Authority.

The Green Table forums have been a success based on the positive feedback received from the participants in attendance! The forums are held on the 3rd Thursday of every other month from 8-10 am. This meeting time has proved to be popular as we have averaged between 25 and 50 participants at each of the Green Table forums. SBWA has formed a steering committee to help select topics and speakers. The members of the steering committee were selected based on their involvement with land preservation efforts in Hunterdon County. In addition, SBWA will be looking at ways to further implement the South Branch Preservation Plan.

Check our calendar for the next meeting of the Hunterdon County Green Table.

Technical Advisory Committee

The Technical Advisory Committee of the SBWA consists of environmental attorneys, geologists, hydrologists, planners and others with technical expertise who volunteer to review and comment on pending legislation, policies, and development plans which may adversely impact the South Branch of the Raritan River.