Photo courtesy of Lila Jung.
City of Water Day will take place on Saturday, July 25, with dozens of communities across New York and New Jersey hosting events that celebrate the region’s harbor and waterfront.
From free kayaking to hands-on educational workshops, the event offers families and residents fun opportunities to enjoy the waterfront while learning how to protect it.
The North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) will be among the organizations participating in this year’s event. Guided by its mission to protect local waterways and efficiently manage the region’s wastewater treatment system, the NHSA will educate attendees about flooding, stormwater management and the important role residents play in protecting local infrastructure.
“Every project that we’ve worked on in probably the last 10 to 15 years now has had climate change at the forefront of it,” said Don Conger, authority engineer at the North Hudson Sewerage Authority.
In recent years, the authority has completed flood migration and sewer infrastructure upgrades throughout North Hudson and has incorporated climate resilience into projects designated to reduce flooding during increasingly intense rainstorms.
How You Can Help The City’s Water System
The NHSA encourages residents to only flush toilet paper and human waste, reminding the public that items such as wipes, paper towels and hygiene products can clog sewer systems.
“Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. No grease. No fats, oils or grease down your sink or toilet,” said Omar Vicioso, the NHSA’s director of communications and chief of staff.
The agency advises residents to properly dispose of cooking oils and grease rather than pouring them down drains, where they can contribute to costly blockages and sewer backups. They also emphasize the importance of not littering because litter can get caught in the sewer systems as well.
At Saturday’s event, officials will also highlight the NHSA’s ongoing investments in infrastructure that have helped reduce flooding, even as the region experiences heavier rainfall driven by climate change and sea level rise. Conger said those investments are already producing measurable results.
“We are actually seeing… an 88% reduction in the flooding in Hoboken,” he said, despite recent Instagram videos that showed flooding in the town..
For NHSA, City of Water Day is about more than showcasing infrastructure projects.
The event gives residents an opportunity to learn how everyday actions can help protect local waterways and reduce strain on the region’s sewer system. From proper disposal of household waste to preventing pollution before it reaches the Hudson River, officials hope attendees leave with a better understanding of how individual choices contribute to cleaner water and more resilient communities.
While City of Water Day is designed as a fun, family friendly event for communities across New Jersey and New York, it also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of clean waterways, resilient infrastructure and the role everyone plays in protecting the region’s water systems.
Vicioso encouraged families to make the most of the event while appreciating the region’s waterways. “Bring your kids… enjoy the Hudson River and be mindful about the Hudson River,” he said.
The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Place Park with information tents, Urban Souls yoga, hands-on estuary biodiversity exploration & SUP lessons and more.
