New Jersey Water Supply Authority’s Bob O’Neil explains the planting program along Cedar Grove Brook.

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority will do some plantings along Cedar Grove Brook to help stem the flow of sediment into the water.

The plantings will be made near Cedar Hill Preparatory School, a private school on Cedar Grove Lane, said NJWSA’s Bob O’Neil. O’Neil said students would be involved in the project, which would be turned into a learning experience.

O’Neil said the target date for the plantings is 11 a.m. May 9. Much later than that, he said, and they will have to wait until the fall.

O’Neil presented the plan to the township Open Space Advisory Committee at its April 21 meeting. Committee members seemed amenable to the idea.

Cedar Grove Brook feeds the Delaware & Raritan Canal, from which NJWSA pulls water. O’Neil said the company is concerned about the canal’s water quality, adding that sediment and fertilizer is getting into the brook water and, subsequently, the canal.

The plants – pussy willow and dogwood – will help deter the sediment from flowing into the brook, he said.

O’Neil said the prep school was the best of four alternatives the company considered for the plantings.

The planting swill be done at no cost to the township, O’Neil said.