SUMMER WATER WATCH EVENTS!
RIVERPALOOZA!
New Jersey State-wide River clean up
Saturday August 8th, 2009 10-1 pm
For more information call Alessandra at 973 687 4429 or visit the official RIVERPALOOZA! webpage at: www.njwaterwatch.org/riverpalooza to learn more and sign up!
Contact Us:
Shakirah Islam
Rutgers - Newark
Robeson Campus Center - Rm 303
973-353-5021
newark@njwaterwatch.org
Set in one of the oldest, most industrialized sections of New Jersey, Water Watch's Newark chapter works in and around water quality issues on the Passaic River and its tributaries.
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In this urbanized and heavily degraded watershed one of our most important tasks is raising community awareness of the existence of local rivers and waterways in their towns and cities. Specifically we work on the Second River, one of three tributaries to the Passaic in Newark and the surrounding suburbs. Most communities in don't necessarily realize that there are rivers in the watershed that run right through their backyards in serious need of attention. |
Most segments of our river no longer have natural shorelines, leading communities to believe they are simply storm sewers or manmade canals and not naturally occurring waterways behind their houses. The community is also unaware of how much trash lines the banks of these streams and rivers running through their towns, and just how unhealthy the environmental situation can be locally.
Just last year several Water Watch students discovered almost a mile's worth of soapsuds dumping into the Second River from an enormous storm drain outlet. The proper authorities were notified and visibility of the waterway in the neighborhood increased.
Through Water Watch education programs, river cleanups and monitoring we have and will continue to get more people involved in water quality issues and will continue to help make the Newark area a more beautiful and healthier place to live.
