Due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, several waste water treatment facilities in the state are off-line, resulting in the temporary runoff of effluents into certain waterways. As a public health and safety precaution, the Department of Environmental Protection is advising recreational boaters, anglers and crabbers to temporarily avoid these waterways and is advising residents not to eat any fish, crustaceans or shellfish from these waters due to contamination from pathogens – bacteria and viruses.
Affected waters include the New Jersey portion of the Hudson River, Passaic River, Hackensack River, Newark Bay, Kill Van Kull and Arthur Kill, Raritan Bay, Raritan River, and Sandy Hook Bay. If boating or fishing in these waters, thoroughly wash, clean and disinfect any gear immediately.
In addition, the DEP is conducting tests of waters along the state’s entire Atlantic coastline.