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In
2001, NJWSA received approximately $60,000 in Section 319(h)
Nonpoint Source funding from the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the "Delaware & Raritan
Canal Tributary Assessment and Nonpoint Source Management
Project". That project focused on nonpoint sources
of pollution from influent streams and stormwater systems
to the Canal in Franklin Township and South Bound Brook Borough,
Somerset County . This reach of the Canal is immediately upstream
of the water supply intakes for the City of New Brunswick
and Middlesex Water Company, and therefore has a direct
impact on Middlesex County residents.
A total
of 68 infalls to the Canal were identified and their drainage
areas delineated (see map). NJWSA identified potential stormwater
improvement projects to address the pollutant loads from the
top fifteen infalls and drainage areas (which contribute a
combined 75 percent of total loadings), ranked based on pollutant
load contributions. The improvement projects included retrofit
of existing detention basins, construction of wet ponds and
installation of manufactured treatment devices (MTDs). NJDEP
is providing funds for implementation of wet ponds, but not
MTDs. The wet ponds are cost-effective controls, but MTDs
are much more efficient at removing pollutants.
NJWSA
is seeking additional funds for MTD implementation in
key drainage areas to the Canal. Such devices are costly
and would require establishment of a sinking fund to
ensure that they are properly maintained. A major advantage
to the D&R Canal Restoration Plan is that each infall
contributing area is independent; implementation can
occur in any one area without compromising the work
in any other contributing area.Therefore,
a project funding source may select any one or more infall
projects below, up to the level of funding available.
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Even
within a single infall contributing area,partial implementation
is feasible (e.g., installing four MTDs of the seven proposed)
without compromising effectiveness. NJWSA is installing a
continuous water quality monitoring station on the Canal at
the downstream end of this project, and therefore will be
able to track water quality improvements over time.
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