Point Source Pollution

When we think of water pollution, we frequently picture pipes discharging chemical wastes into our rivers, or oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez. These types of pollutants are known as point sources of pollution because the pollutant can easily be linked back to its source, or point of origin. Point sources of pollution are stationary locations or fixed facilities, such as an industry or municipality, that discharge pollutants into air or surface water through pipes, ditches, lagoons, wells, or stacks. Common sources of point source pollution to water are sewage treatment plants, leaking landfills, and industrial factories.

Contaminated Sites
There are 296 sites in Gloucester County listed on the New Jersey Known Contaminated Sites List. The Contaminated Sites list includes former factory sites, landfills, locations of current or former leaking underground storage tanks, sites where chemicals or wastes were once routinely discharged, and places where accidents have resulted in spills and pollution. The contamination has affected soil, groundwater, surface water, or a combination of these. The most dangerous sites, from a human health standpoint, are listed as Superfund sites, which make them eligible for federal cleanup funds. State or individual programs handle other sites.

As of September 2001, there were 27 Superfund sites in Gloucester County.

Bridgeport Rental and Oil Services

Lipari Landfill

Cleaning Up Contaminated Sites

Sewage
In the past, household, commercial and industrial wastes were typically disposed of directly into our nation’s streams, rivers, and oceans, under the assumption that they would simply be carried away and diluted by the fresh or salt water. However, as our knowledge of human health and sanitation grew, so did our understanding that this method of waste disposal was not only bad for human health, but for the environment as well. Today, sewage from our homes and businesses is disposed of in one of two ways: through sewage treatment plants, or through individual septic systems. Although not foolproof, the treatment of our sewage before it is released into surface waters has greatly improved the quality of our water resources.

Many of Gloucester County’s residents and businesses are connected to a public sewer system where sewage is carried by a set of pipes to one of the treatment plants in Gloucester County. The Gloucester County Utilities Authority (GCUA) serves the largest number of public sewer users, followed by the Logan Municipal Utility Authority (MUA), which serves Logan Township and part of Woolwich. The Swedesboro MUA and Harrison MUA provide service to smaller, local regions.

After sewage is processed at the treatment plant, the treated wastewater is discharged to a local waterway. From the GCUA and Logan MUA, the treated water is discharged to the Delaware River. From the Harrison and Swedesboro plants, the treated water is discharged to the Raccoon Creek. In all cases it flows away to the ocean. The sludge – everything that remains after treatment – is incinerated.

Leaking Sewer Lines

Misconnected Sewer Lines

Return to the main Pollution Prevention page.