River-Friendly Certification Programs: Businesses, Golf Courses, Residents, Schools and Farms

By Kathy Hale, Principal Watershed Protection Specialist

New Jersey Water Supply Authority

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA, www.njwsa.org) was created in 1981 to operate existing water supply systems, and to develop future State water supply projects as recommended in the State Water Supply Master Plan.  The Authority’s Raritan Basin System consists of Spruce Run Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir and the Delaware and Raritan Canal, and provides the basic source of water supply to several public and private water utilities serving more than 1,500,000 people in central New Jersey.  The Manasquan Water Supply System serves more than 250,000 people in the Monmouth County area. 

NJWSA’s Watershed Protection Programs Division was formed in 1999, and served as project lead for the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project, resulting in a comprehensive characterization and assessment report and management plan for the Raritan Basin.  NJWSA established a customer-funded Source Water Protection Fund to provide support for projects that result in the protection of drinking water sources.

River-Friendly Certification Programs

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA, www.njwsa.org) implements a suite of River-Friendly programs in the North & South Branch Raritan and Lower Raritan River watersheds, focused on NJWSA’s source water area.  These programs are based on those developed by the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. Through the River-Friendly programs, NJWSA works with landowners and land managers to improve water quality by implementing actions in four categories:

• Water Quality Management & Nonpoint Source Pollution Management,
• Water Conservation,
• Native Habitat & Wildlife Enhancement, and
• Education & Outreach

Photo of Neshanic Valley Golf Course : A River Friendly Golf Course

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