| New Jersey Section of American Water Resources Association (NJ-AWRA) |
The New Jersey Section of the American Water Resources Association (NJ-AWRA) |
WMA 5 Holistic Watershed Progam
Location: NJ Watershed Management Area 5 (Hackensack, Hudson, Pascack Watersheds)
Holistic watershed management by Veolia Water NJ in Watershed Management Area 5 (WMA 5, covering the Hackensack and Hudson River watersheds) combines ecological restoration, natural habitat enhancement, and public access. It integrates watershed protection with active reservoir management to ensure safe drinking water and environmental health. The program aims to protect and manage 4,000 acres of forest and 8 billion gallons of raw water storage.
Five key areas:
- Data Collection & Monitoring: Establishing robust, continuous monitoring systems to build comprehensive water quality data.
- Wildlife Management: Implementing targeted management strategies, including:
- Controlling Canada geese using non-lethal canine methods, sonic deterrents, and egg addling.
- Addressing harmful algal blooms and gizzard shad populations.
- Mitigating spotted lanternflies by removing invasive Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) trees.
- Utilizing drone surveys to accurately assess local deer populations.
- Community Engagement: Fostering local connections through interactive classroom lessons, partnerships with environmental groups, and public outreach—including over 109 educational tours hosted at the Haworth Plant in 2024 alone.
- Ecological Transformation & Conservation: Advancing biodiversity and sustainability through initiatives like installing floating wetlands and planting dedicated pollinator habitats.
- Forestry Management – 10 year management plan and documentation of invasive species