Technical Approaches to Restore Impaired Waterbodies within the Non-tidal Passaic River Basin

This paper discusses the status of chemical water quality impairments within the non-tidal Passaic River basin, as well as the technical approaches the Department of Environmental Protection is pursuing to address those impairments. In accordance with federal legislation, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are developed to identify all the contributors to surface water quality impacts and establish load reductions for pollutants of concern as necessary to meet Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS). First, in that context, this document details the current status of both known and suspected water quality impairments in the non-tidal Passaic River basin. Second, the document discusses technical approaches to pollutants of concern (particularly phosphorus and fecal coliform) as developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) in collaboration with the Passaic River TMDL Work Group, and other management responses.Purpose: To consider the status of, and response to, chemical water quality impairments within the non-tidal Passaic River basin