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“Look at that,” Matt said as he lifted his paddle to show the red water, “It looks like fruit punch.”
The river has a history of pollution dating back to the 1950s, including byproducts from Agent Orange. According to NOAA, this toxic byproduct, known as TCDD, caused cancer in humans and deformities in animals. As Matt paddled through, he noted that Canada geese had flown away at his sight.
Industrial contamination has also been a major issue: More than 70 facilities along the river banks have released contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals, and more into the water.
More conspiratorial TikTok users saw the red water as an ominous sign. “Are we currently living in Biblical times?” user joed69 asked rhetorically, referencing Revelation 16 where John wrote that the third angel poured out his bowl on rivers and springs of water, turning them to blood.
However, the red water was not actually blood but sewage. After seeing Two Feet Outdoors’ video, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) investigated. They determined there was a blocked sewage main around Safer Textiles—a textile processing mill near where Matt had paddled. When the blocked sewage main caused sewage to back up and spill into Newark’s stormwater collection system, which discharged into the Passaic, the water turned red.
The DEP clarified that Safer Textiles was properly disposing of its wastewater. After the Newark Sewer Department cleared the blockage, the issue resolved. They are continuing to investigate that region of the river and sewage system.
Matt praised the DEP’s response but noted that sewers often cause problems when he kayaks through New Jersey and New York during rain events due to combined sewer overflows. “The cities need to do better,” Matt said, “Our waterways deserve better.”
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
What caused the red water in the river according to the passage?
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