The government will collect sediment from the river.
A study by the federal government will collect sediment samples from a 17-mile stretch of the Hackensack River to to determine whether contamination is bad enough to put the river on the federal Superfund list, The Record reported.
If the Hackensack is added to the list, the Environmental Protection Agency would conduct further studies to figure out how to clean it up.
The EPA began its study after being petitioned in February 2015 by the non-profit Hackensack Riverkeeper.
The agency plans to collect samples up to the Oradell Dam, while previous studies reached the mouth of the Overpeck Creek in Ridgefield. The initial study found more than 900 sites that may be sources of contamination.
Brownfields and industrial chemicals have leached chemicals into the Hackensack River for decades. Recent cleanup efforts have led striped bass to return to the waters, but the Department of Environmental Protection advises against eating them or any other fish caught in the river.
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.