Passaic
River
N.), NY
WHY IS THIS WATERSHED SPECIAL?
The Passaic River, which traverses both New Jersey and a
small portion of New York, has historically been an area
of significant industrial activity and is now one of the
most impacted rivers in the northeast. Approximately
two million people—one quarter of New Jersey's
population—live within 669 square miles of the
803-square-mile watershed. In addition, 23 reservoirs,
all within the nontidal portion of the river, provide
potable water to New Jersey's residents.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
recently funded watershed characterization and
assessment studies. These revealed that surface water
quality standards for nutrients, dissolved oxygen, pH,
temperature, pathogens, metals, and pesticides are
often exceeded.
• Phosphorus loads must be reduced to restore water
quality in the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
• Nineteen wastewater treatment plants within the
nontidal portion of the Passaic River watershed
each discharge more than 1 million gallons per day
of treated effluent. The plants, studies assert,
contribute a large percentage of the phosphorus
load.
• Upgrading wastewater treatment plants to meet an
effluent limitation for total phosphorus would be
extremely costly. All additional costs would be passed
on to taxpayers in the form of higher sewer rates
unless a water quality trading program with the
potential to significantly lower costs is implemented.
Ma
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Headwaters of the Passaic River in the Highlands of New Jersey.
RESTORATION ACTIVITIES
EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant funds will be used to
develop, implement, and evaluate an effective water
quality trading program for the nontidal Passaic River
Watershed that adheres to EPA's Water Quality Trading
Policy. The focus of the program will include both
point-point source trading and point-nonpoint source
trading. The partners will:
• Review available studies to identify potential trading
scenarios and examine ongoing projects around the
country to identify models that can be adopted
• Evaluate potential trading scenarios from a scientific
and economic perspective and develop a model that
will quantify potential load reductions and cost
savings
• Evaluate the public policy and legal aspects,
including permitting and enforcement implications,
of water quality trading as it pertains to the Passaic
River watershed and New Jersey statutes,
regulations, and policies
• Develop and implement a trading program,
including facilitating trading negotiations and
recommending modifications to permits
• Report results at local, regional, and national
meetings and in peer-reviewed journals
• Develop a website for the project. A website has
been initiated for the project at
www.water.rutgers.edu/projects/trading/WQTrading.htm
EPA's TARGETED WATERSHEDS GRANTS
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A STRONG PARTNERSHIP
FOR CHANGE
The watershed contains 19 major point sources. Each
may require different levels of upgrade to achieve water
quality standards, making a trading program very
attractive. An active coalition assembled to complete
this endeavor includes:
• The Passaic River Basin Alliance, a nonprofit coalition
of wastewater treatment plants in the Passaic Basin
• Experts from Rutgers and Cornell Universities
• The New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection
• A nonprofit organization of New Jersey
municipalities
• The New Jersey Association of Environmental
Authorities, a nonprofit organization of state
wastewater treatment plants, water utilities, solid
waste facilities, and collection system operators
Whippany River, one of the many tributaries to the Passaic River that will be protected
through the water quality trading project.
"The EPA Targeted Watershed Grants Program has provided a unique opportunity to
develop a water quality trading program for the Passaic River Basin that brings
together stakeholders with diverse goals, and align their efforts to improve water
quality at reduced cost. We aim to achieve a win-win result for the environment and
our stakeholders."
- Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., RE., Rutgers Cooperative Extension
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