About Us

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority's Watershed Protection Programs Division was formed in 1999 to administer a systematic source water protection program for the watersheds that the Authority relies upon for its water supply. The Division's primary objectives include the development and implementation of projects that afford protection of the quantity and quality of the source water in the Raritan and Manasquan River Basins, and the Delaware & Raritan Canal and its tributaries for the benefit of the Authority and its customers. Read more and meet our staff >>

"Watershed Wanderings" Blog Update

What's New

• In the News -- Rain barrels created in Bridgewater for economic, ecological purposes

• In the News -- Regional Center Partnership Late Summer Newsletter Featured Article -- Rain Gardens & Rain Barrels Help the Environment (on page 2)

• In the News -- Raritan residents construct rain barrels to re-use water

• Press release -- Agriculture in Action Day - September 12, 2010. See the flyer.

• In the News -- Somerville residents invited to participate in water quality project

Find More >>

Peters Brook Stormwater Reduction Project

Explore the Peters Brook Photo Gallery
Watch the video from EPA -- "Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In"

The Peters Brook watershed is contained in the towns of Bridgewater, Somerville, and Raritan, which are characterized by older, densely populated residential neighborhoods where stormwater retention is minimal. The confluence of Peters Brook with the Raritan River is approximately 3 miles upstream of the New Jersey American Water Company intake that provides treatment and distribution of more than 124 million gallons, on average, of potable water per day to residents of New Jersey. The source-water for water purveyors is susceptible to impairment from bacteria (such as fecal coliform and E. coliform) and pathogens, pH fluctuations, and nutrients (causing algal blooms), requiring increased chemical use for neutralization and/or removal, consequently increasing treatment costs and sludge generation from residuals.

The Peters Brook Stormwater Reduction Project focuses on implementing small, low-cost best management practices (BMPs), such as rain gardens and rain barrels. Please click here to learn more about how this project could help to reduce stormwater runoff that carries pollutants into waterways.

Take the River-Friendly Resident Survey!

Check Out the Urban Sprawl and New Developments in the Areas between the Spruce Run and Round Valley Reservoir from 1986 to 2007

Learn more about River-Friendly Programs >>

Learn more about Rain Gardens >>

Learn more about Acquisition Program for Source Water Protection >>