Q: Is the Lawrence Brook polluted ?
A: As a whole,
the Lawrence brook and its lakes are considered moderately impaired.
In its last assessment, the NJ DEP found the South Brunswick
part of the Lawrence brook 'severely impaired' (the NJ
DEP tests our streams once every 5 years). Usually pollution increases
with urban development, there is a direct relationship between the
percentage of impervious surfaces (concrete, tar top) and the impairment
of the rivers. The risk of degradation of the Lawrence brook is therefore
very high, but it can be limited with proper approaches.
Q: WHAT CAN I DO ?
A: Look at our projects. We have routine
activities, like water testing ; we also have occasional activities like
the great annual Farrington cleanup.
Q: What is a watershed address
?
A: The US
geological service (USGS) identifies watersheds with a numeric watershed
address , the HUC or Hydrologic Unit Code (e.g., 02030105130). The
larger the number, the smaller the watershed.
Example:
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Region: 02 (NY, NJ,
Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
Subregion: 0203
Basin:
020301 (Raritan River basin)
Subbasin: 02030105 (Lower Raritan River
subbasin)
Watershed: 02030105130 (Lawrence Brook watershed)
Subwatershed : USGS defines a few subwatersheds within the
Lawrencebrook watershed |
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A HUC2 (a 2-digit code) is a region code, a HUC8 ( an 8-digit
code) is a subbasin code, etc. In this naming system , large
watersheds are called regions, smaller watershed are called subregions,
etc. Small associations or clubs adopt small watersheds, such
as HUC16 watersheds.
Q: The water tests done by the LBWP, are they
sufficient to detect serious problems ?
A: No
they are not. We only assess a couple of sites; we only look for a
couple of chemicals; we don't have equipment and expertise of a
professional laboratory.
Q: What is non-point source pollution ?
A:
Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and
sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is
caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the
runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and
human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers,
wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of
drinking water. These pollutants include:
- Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural
lands and residential areas;
- Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy
production;
- Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest
lands, and eroding stream banks;
- Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from
abandoned mines;
- Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty
septic systems;
- Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification are also sources of
nonpoint source pollution.
(from EPA's
Polluted brochure PA-841-F-94-005, 1994
Q: What
is the effect of pollutants on water?
A: States
report that nonpoint source pollution is the leading remaining cause of
water quality problems. The effects of nonpoint source pollutants on
specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed. However, we
know that these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water
supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife. (information taken
from EPA's Polluted
brochure EPA-841-F-94-005, 1994)
Q: What can we do about non-point pollution?
A: We
can all work together to reduce and prevent nonpoint source pollution.
Some activities are federal responsibilities, such as ensuring that
federal lands are properly managed to reduce soil erosion. Some are state
responsibilities, for example, developing legislation to govern
mining and logging, and to protect groundwater. Others are best handled
locally, such as by zoning or erosion control ordinances. And
each individual can play an important role by practicing conservation and
by changing certain everyday habits. (information taken from EPA's Polluted brochure
EPA-841-F-94-005, 1994)
What you can do.
Q: Are there any games in this site?
A: Yes, just click here
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