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Lebanon (Hunterdon)Green Risk

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Clean Water Activity Book

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ISSUED: 5/1/2017

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Executive Summary

This document is an activity book created by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Clean Water Raingers team to educate individuals on water quality issues in New Jersey. It covers topics such as the water cycle, watersheds, sources of water pollution (soil particles, nutrients, bacteria, and toxic substances), and provides tips for smart shopping, proper waste disposal, responsible lawn care, and boating/fishing practices. The booklet aims to promote awareness and encourage environmentally friendly behaviors to protect New Jersey's water resources.

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--- Document: Clean Water Activity Book Document ---
Save this booklet! It contains valuable information you can use! 
Activity Book


Hi! I'm Howie Heron.  
My friends and I have 
joined the Clean Water 
Rainger Team and we're 
here to share what we've 
learned about the water 
quality of the great 
state of New Jersey.  
The Clean Water 
Raingers team is 
dedicated to protecting 
New Jersey's water.  
In this booklet, you'll 
learn how your everyday 
activities affect water.
Who Are the Clean Water Raingers?


Hi!  I'm Diesha Diamondback.  Did you know that all of the streams, creeks, rivers, 
lakes, and bays in New Jersey eventually flow to the Atlantic Ocean?  What you 
do in your home town can affect the Jersey Shore,  even if you live far away!
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
The Clean Water Raingers
concept was developed by
the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection.
Kyra Hoffmann, Creator
Erin Brodel, Graphic Design &
 
           Illustration
For additional information contact:
Clean Water Raingers
NJDEP
PO Box 420
Mail Code 401-07
401 E. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: 1-866-DEP-KNOW
Email:  CWRaingers@dep.nj.gov
May 2017
What's the Story with Water?
 
What's Wrong with Our Water?
Smart Shopping Tips
Don't Dump It Down the Drain
Getting Around
Scoop the Poop
Trees, Turf, Bugs, and Birds
Slow the Flow
Boating and Fishing Tips
Getting More Involved
CWR Crossword Puzzle
CWR Word Search
Crossword & Word Search Answers
CWR Member Certiﬁcate
You've Got the Know-How Now
Map of NJ's Waterways & Watersheds
4
6
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19


Hey! I'm 
Francine Frog. 
Where does 
your drinking 
water come 
from?
The Water Cycle
What is Ground Water?
Evaporation
Precipitation
Infiltration
Transpiration
Some rainwater runoff seeps into the ground 
to become ground water. Ground water 
moves into water-filled layers of porous rock 
or soil that are called aquifers.  Aquifers are 
not flowing underground streams or lakes. If 
the aquifer is close to the surface, its ground 
water can flow into nearby waterways and 
wetlands.  More than 100 aquifers are below 
us in New Jersey, covering 7,500 square 
miles. Through wells, ground water is used 
for drinking water for half of the people in 
New Jersey.
Water.  It’s an essential 
part of our lives.  We use it 
to drink, to cook, to bathe 
and to clean.  It’s used by 
industry and businesses to 
make 
their 
products.  
Farmers 
and 
gardeners 
use it to water their crops.  
Fish live in it and other 
animals need it to survive.
The Earth has a lot of 
water - approximately 1.4 
quintillion cubic meters of 
it.  Yet, less than 1% of that 
is fresh, usable water.  The 
oceans, glaciers and ice 
caps account for greater 
than 99% of all water on 
Earth. 
 That 
remaining 
small fraction accounts for 
every cloud, river, lake, 
pond, swamp and aquifer.  
Of 
that, 
more 
than 
two-thirds is below the 
Earth’s surface.
In New Jersey, an average of 
44 inches of precipitation 
per year replenishes the 
State’s 
6,500 
miles 
of 
streams and rivers, 61,000 
acres of lakes and an 
extensive 
network 
of 
underground aquifers.
For millions of years, water has been recycled and reused.  It is 
important to understand how water moves through the Earth’s 
water cycle.  When it rains, the rainwater flows on top of the land 
surface into waterways or is absorbed by the ground or plants.  
Water evaporates from land and water, becoming water vapor in the 
atmosphere.  Water is also released from trees and other plants 
through “transpiration.”  The water vapor from evaporation and 
transpiration forms clouds in the atmosphere which in turn provide 
precipitation (rain, hail, snow, sleet) to start the cycle over again.  
This process of water recycling, known as the water cycle, repeats 
itself over and over.


What is a Watershed?
Get Your Mind in 
the Gutter!
Howie Heron here.  As I fly over New 
Jersey, I can see that New Jersey is made of 
many different watersheds.  We all live in a 
watershed. Which one do you live in?
Hi!  I'm Burt Bass.  That storm 
drain isn't a garbage disposal.  It 
goes right to my home!
A watershed is the area of land that drains into a 
waterway.  A watershed includes not only the waterway 
itself but also the entire land area that drains to it.  For 
example, the watershed of a lake would include not 
only the streams entering into the lake but also the 
land area that drains into those streams and eventually 
the lake.
A watershed can be as small as a backyard that drains 
to a puddle or as large as the sections of New York, 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware that drain into 
the Delaware River.
So what happens on the land in a watershed affects the 
waterway.  For example, if too many fertilizers are used 
on lawns, the extra fertilizer  can end up in the local 
waterway.  The same thing goes for ground water.  The 
extra fertilizer could end up in ground water and 
maybe someone’s well.
In urban and suburban parts of the State, 
man-made systems change the way water 
flows.  Where does the water in the 
street gutter go?  In most places in New 
Jersey, that gutter leads to a storm drain 
along the curb which goes directly to a 
local waterway.  Whatever flows down the 
storm 
drain 
enters 
a 
series 
of 
underground pipes that lead to an outfall 
pipe that flows into a local waterway.  The 
stormwater does not get treated.  All the 
litter, motor oil drippings and other 
debris goes with it into the local 
waterway.  That’s why it’s important to 
keep stormwater clean!


What's Wrong With Our Water?
Soil Particles
Nutrients
The effects of soil erosion are easy to see... it's what makes the 
water so brown.  Once soil particles settle to the bottom, they 
become sediments that clog boating channels, destroy fish habitat, and 
cloud the water, blocking light needed by fish and underwater plants.
Bacteria
On his flights over New Jersey, Howie Heron sees that many water 
pollution problems begin upstream and accumulate as water flows 
toward the bays and the ocean.  He has seen improvement as 
regulation of industries and improved sewage treatment have helped 
clean up the water.  Now the number one problem in many areas is 
“polluted runoff.”
Polluted runoff is stormwater runoff that picks up pollution as it 
washes over lawns, parking lots, roadways, farmland and other surfaces.  
There are four basic types of pollution in runoff:  soil particles, 
nutrients, bacteria and toxic substances.
Construction sites, farms and eroded 
stream banks can be large sources of 
pollution.  Because bare ground lacks 
plants to hold soil in place, rain and 
waves can easily lead to soil erosion.
Bacteria contained in human and animal wastes can 
cause diseases such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery.  
New Jersey’s bathing beaches are closely watched for 
bacteria. If there are too many disease causing 
bacteria in the water, a beach is closed for swimming.
Nutrients, like potassium, phosphorous 
and nitrogen, help plants grow.  Just like 
we need food to survive, so do plants in 
the water.  But, an overload of nutrients 
from fertilizer, manure or leaking septic 
systems stimulates algae and plant 
growth in water.  Too much algae is ugly 
and smells bad -- it clouds the water too!  
Cloudy water blocks sunlight from 
reaching underwater plants which are 
important fish habitat.
Another problem occurs when the algae 
die and decompose, using up precious 
oxygen in the water needed by fish and 
other aquatic life.  A loss of oxygen can 
lead to fish kills.


Toxic Substances
What Can You Do?
Marshall Muskrat 
here!  The next sections 
of this booklet will 
provide some suggestions 
for you, your family and 
friends to follow.  We 
hope you'll consider 
choosing to follow
these suggestions.
Because some toxins like 
PCBs and mercury build up 
as they move up the food 
chain, there are public health 
advisories against eating some 
types of fish in different 
parts of New Jersey.  
Fish-eating birds and humans 
may face the greatest risk!
Toxic substances include oil and gas, heavy metals (zinc, mercury, 
cadmium, lead, etc.) and pesticides.  When these substances are 
washed off sidewalks, parking lots, lawns, gardens and cropland, 
they can end up in nearby streams and lakes and can even soak 
into the ground.  Once in the water system, these pollutants can 
be carried downstream to settle into lakes, bays and aquifers.  
Toxic substances can contaminate small organisms, which are 
eaten by fish and birds.  The toxins build up in the fat of the larger 
animals, possibly leading to illness, birth defects and even death.
The most important thing you can do 
to improve New Jersey’s water is to 
learn about the ways in which you 
and others affect the environment.  
Lots of little changes will make the 
biggest difference!


Smart Shopping Tips
Thank You For Shopping Smart!
You may not think 
you have an impact on 
the environment when 
you shop, but you do.  
Follow these smart 
shopping tips to help 
protect NJ's water.
Treat them with respect.
Conserve.
Don't Dump It Down the Drain
How does a septic system work?
Ground Water
Septic Tank
Absorption
Field
Effluent
Solids
Buy products that use the least amount of 
packaging.  This helps by reducing water 
pollution from manufacturing and trash 
disposal problems.
Recycle!  Find out what is recyclable in 
your community.  Buy products in 
recyclable containers.  Buy containers or 
products made from recycled materials.
Read labels and be aware of what they 
mean before you buy.  Watch for signal 
words such as “caution,” “warning” and 
“danger.”  These indicate that an item is a 
potentially 
hazardous 
product 
that 
consumers need to be concerned about.
About 500,000 New Jersey homes use septic systems for the wastewater from their sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines 
and showers.  Rather than send their wastewater to a sewage treatment plant, homes with septic systems treat their wastewater 
in their own backyard.
Septic systems work by using bacteria to decompose wastes sent 
into the system.  A typical septic system has underground pipe 
leading from the home to an underground holding tank where 
most of the pollutants are treated.  An underground system of 
small pipes leads from the tank into the backyard.  These pipes 
allow treated water to soak into the ground.
In order to keep these systems working, it’s important to 
treat them right.  To do this, you must be careful about 
what is put down the drain.  The following things should 
not be put down household drains:  hazardous 
household chemicals (for example, paints, varnishes, 
pesticides, drain cleaners), motor oil and other 
automotive fluids, cooking oils and grease, and large 
amounts of bulky materials such as kitty litter, diapers or 
paper towels.  These items may cause a septic system to 
stop working and can contaminate ground water.
It’s also important to conserve water 
with a septic system.  The less water 
the septic system treats, the longer 
the system will last.


Getting Around
Scoop the Poop
Be sure used motor oil, antifreeze and used batteries are recycled. Never dump anything 
down storm drains. They usually go directly to a local waterway. Never dump these 
products on the ground either. Here they can soak into the ground water. Also, pets 
and wildlife can be attracted to sweet tasting antifreeze, but it's toxic to them.
You may not think of cars as a source of water pollution but 
they can be.  Think of a parking lot or street.  All that oil, 
grease and other fluids that stain the pavement are washed 
into local waterways when it rains or as snow melts.  Little 
bits of tires and brakes that wear off the car drop onto the 
pavement and are washed into waterways too.  How do you 
avoid this pollution?  Cars should be maintained properly and 
leaks fixed as soon as possible.  That makes safety and 
environmental sense!
Feces, guano, dung, poop and road apples are all forms of 
animal waste which can be a serious water pollution 
problem.  Too much animal waste from pets, wildlife or 
livestock adds too many nutrients and disease-causing 
bacteria to the water.
If you walk your pet near a lake or stream, it’s important to 
clean up after your dog.  Don’t leave animal waste on the 
sidewalk or roadway either.  When it rains, the waste can be 
washed down the storm drain to the nearest waterway.


Trees, Turf, Bugs 
and Birds
Oooh, this home looks nice.  Maybe 
I'll move into the stream next to it.
Try alternative pest controls 
first!  That includes things 
like trapping pests and using 
predators, like me!
Most people like a healthy landscape surrounding their home.  It 
can increase the value of your home and produce environmental 
benefits such as preventing soil erosion, keeping your home 
cooler in the summer and filtering pollutants from runoff.  The 
right combination of plants can even attract wildlife, butterflies 
and birds.
Unfortunately, using too many fertilizers and pesticides on 
lawns and gardens can also be a source of pollution.  It’s 
important to use these products wisely -- at the right time and 
the right amount -- if they’re needed at all.  Make sure the 
products are needed and, if so, use them according to the label.
Many people consider all insects to be harmful to the lawn or 
garden, but most insects are not harmful.  In fact, many of them 
eat other harmful insects.  Don’t automatically turn to 
pesticides.  These chemicals can also be dangerous to human 
health and the environment.  All home and garden pesticides 
are poisonous to some degree.  The most important thing to 
remember is to read and follow the label carefully if you are 
going to use a pesticide.


Trees Are Tops
Mowing the Lawn
Leave your grass clippings 
on the lawn.  They will 
slowly fertilize the lawn
as they decompose, reducing 
the need to apply other 
fertilizers and the possibility 
of water pollution.
Plant a tree.  My 
favorites are native 
New Jersey trees 
like the Red Oak, 
Pitch Pine, American 
Holly, Sugar Maple, 
and Black Gum trees.
Always mow with a sharp blade set at the right height 
(about 2 to 3 inches).  Never mow more than one third of 
the grass height.  Cutting more will stress your lawn’s 
health, opening the door to weeds and disease.  A healthy 
lawn doesn’t need pesticides.
Trees provide a whole range of environmental 
benefits.  They provide shade - especially important 
during a hot summer day.  This keeps your house 
cooler and shelters other plants from the drying sun.  
Trees use nutrients and can prevent those nutrients 
from entering waterways.  Their roots hold the soil 
in place, thereby preventing soil erosion.


Slow the Flow
Boating and Fishing Tips
Enjoying the water is one of my favorite 
pastimes. Here are some tips on how to help 
keep the water we all enjoy safe and clean.  
You wouldn't think of pouring 
motor oil over the side of a 
boat, but pouring it down a 
storm drain is exactly the same 
thing! Storm sewers lead 
directly to rivers and lakes.  It 
only takes one quart of motor 
oil to contaminate one million 
gallons of drinking water!
Like any valuable resource, water should be conserved 
both indoors and outdoors.  We can’t make new water 
so we need to conserve the clean water that’s available 
to us.
Inside the Home:  Don’t let the water run while you 
brush your teeth.  Take short showers.  Flush only when 
necessary.  Don’t use the toilet as a trash can.
Outside the Home:  Don’t over water the yard.  Sweep 
sidewalks and driveways rather than hose them down.  
Use plants that don’t need a lot of water.
Slow down and observe “No Wake” zones, which 
are designated to protect the shore.  A wake is the 
wave caused by a boat moving too quickly through 
the water.  Fast moving boats cause large waves 
that can cause the shoreline to erode.
Recycle old fishing line.  Never throw it overboard.
Keep a trash bag handy and remember to recycle.
Never dispose of bait or fish waste overboard.
Don't be selfish.  Save water!


Glossary
- water filled underground layers of cracked rock, sand, gravel, or clay.  Wells tap into aquifers to provide
  water for people to use.
-  movement of soil commonly caused by running water or wind.
- movement of water from land to the air when the sun heats up water and it becomes water vapor.
- nutrient source for plants.
- water that lies beneath the earth’s surface.
- chemical used to control a pest, such as an insect, weed or rodent.
- rain water or snow melt that carries pollutants.
- reuse of materials such as plastic, glass or metal in either its original or different form rather than putting
  them in the garbage.
- underground pipe system that carries stormwater from streets and parking lots to local
  waterways.
- movement of water from plants to the air.
- natural process of recycling water from the land to the air and back
  again, also called the hydrologic cycle.
- the area of land that drains into a body of water such as a river, lake,
  stream or bay.  It is separated from other systems by high points in
  the area such as hills or slopes.
- a body of water, for example a bay, river, lake, creek or stream.
- water that falls back to land from clouds as snow, sleet, hail or rain. 
Aquifer
Erosion
Fertilizer
Ground water
Pesticide
Polluted runoff
Recycle
Storm Sewers
Water Cycle
Watershed
Waterway
Transpiration
Evaporation
Precipitation


 r
oss
w
o
rd
clean water raingers
For millions of years,        has been reused and recycled.
Using too much           on your lawn can cause water pollution.
        your use of pesticides.
         , nutrients, soil particles and toxic substances are four types of pollution in runoff.
A              is not a garbage disposal.
Rainwater        can become polluted as it flows across the land.
      can help prevent water pollution by using nutrients and holding soil in place.
Rainwater seeps into the soil to become        water.
Francine      eats insects and is an alternative pest control.  
The clean water         team is working to keep NJ's water clean.
      up after pets.
The land surrounding a waterway is its           .
Rain and snow are two types of             .
     can help keep water clean.
Using plants that don't use a lot of water is one way to practice water             .
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clean water raingers word search
Find these words across, down, up or diagonally.


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Become an official member 
of the clean water 
raingers by following 
these important tips to 
help protect clean water.
     As an official member of the Clean Water Raingers Team, 
I pledge to follow all the rules of the Clean Water Raingers, 
and to work hard to keep the water and the world free from 
the dangers of pollution.
n a m e
Ofﬁcial Member
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Never throw anything down storm drains.  They are for rainwater only.
Don’t litter.  Always put trash where it belongs.
Always clean up after your pets.  Obey your town’s “pooper scooper” laws.
Tell others how important it is to keep our land and water clean.
Plant a tree.  They take pollutants out of ground water, provide shade, 
and clean the air.
Find out what waterway you live near.  Where does your water come from?
Buy products that use the least amount of packaging.
Recycle.  Find out what is recyclable in your community.  Buy products
in recycled or recyclable containers.
Learn about environmental issues.  Get involved in 
local organizations.
Conserve water whenever possible.  For example, turn off the
water while brushing your teeth and don’t linger in the shower.
Claudius Crab,
Member of the Clean Water 
Raingers Team
C l a u d i u s  C r a b
cut along the dotted line for your own official Clean Water Raingers member certificate


You've Got the 
Know-How 
Now!
Now you know how to be a 
Clean Water Rainger! Join the 
team. Thanks for taking the 
time to read about how you 
can become a member of the 
team that’s part of the solution 
to water pollution.


Atlantic Coastal
Lower Delaware
Northeast
Northwest
Raritan
New Jersey's 
Waterways and 
Watersheds
Watersheds
Which waterway 
is near your 
house?


New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
PO Box 420
Mail Code 401-07
Trenton, NJ 08625
To receive additional copies contact:
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Phone:  1-866-DEP-KNOW  Email:  CWRaingers@dep.nj.gov
 printed on recycled paper
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