Water & Ecosystem Quality in an Urban Stream – Preakness Brook, Passaic County, New Jersey

Sheri Distasi, Ross Manning, Dennis Daly, Richard Derkacs and Richard R. Pardi (1) and Michael Sebetich (2)

William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey 07470, 973-270-2721, 973-720-2338

(1) Departments of Environmental Science, pardir@wpunj.edu

(2)   Department of Biology,  sedbetichm@wpunj.edu

Preakness Brook is an urban stream that is a tributary to the Passaic River.  The stream is located in Passaic County, northern New Jersey with most of its watershed within the Township of Wayne and a small portion in the Boro of Totowa.

The stream has been identified by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as being impaired along portions of its length for fecal coliform bacteria and ecosystem degradation as indicated by macroinvertebrate surveys.

The results shown in this poster reflect an intensive water-quality survey of 16 sampling sites within the watershed.  Fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria, nutrients, major elements and field variables (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, and turbidity) were measured along with discharge beginning in June, 2006.  Results to date are included here.

High levels of bacteria were measured along the entire length of the stream and nearly always exceeded the surface water standard over the summer of 2006.  Nutrient levels were low to moderate except within the segment of the stream below the out fall of the Mountain View Sewage Treatment Plant.  Dissolved oxygen was close to saturation at the ambient water temperatures along the entire length of the stream. 

Other data presented within this poster provide insight into the water quality dynamics of this urban stream and contribute to a foundation of understanding that will aid in the planning of a restoration and protection plan for this water body.