The Tenth Annual Jersey Water Works conference, a gathering of over 200 water professionals, community advocates, and policymakers from diverse backgrounds and regions of New Jersey, took place on December 13, 2024, at The College of New Jersey. The event marked a decade of progress in water management, fostering discussions on key issues and opportunities in the field.
The conference featured two keynote sessions, six breakout sessions, and one-on-one meetings focused on funding opportunities for water projects. Deandrah Cameron of New Jersey Future welcomed attendees by sharing her personal water story, linking her experiences in Jamaica and doing military service to her current lead service line replacement work. Saraly Gonzalez captured the audience’s attention with vibrant images of youth engaging with the Cooper River, inviting them to participate in summer tours led by youth river guards.
Commissioner Shawn LaTourette of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) emphasized the urgency of water management in light of the severe flooding and droughts the state experienced in 2024. He warned of new rules from the Department related to PFAS and Lead and Copper and reminded the audience that while difficult, the regulations are to safeguard our public health. He also asked the audience to learn more about the Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rules, particularly the facts outlined on their website. LaTourette acknowledged the team at the NJDEP, many of whom joined as speakers and participants in the conference.
Session topics included:
- Effective Combined Sewer Overflow Solutions: North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) and Camden County Municipal Utility Authority (CCMUA) highlighted some efforts around combined sewer overflow (CSO), sharing updates on public engagement initiatives they are spearheading. To learn more, click here for the slide deck and read NHSA blog about their experience at the event.
- Two sessions were dedicated to accelerating Lead Service Line Replacement, focusing on the practical challenges and lessons learned in implementing LSLR initiatives in New Jersey. The first session introduced new strategies, sustainable financing models, and the importance of educating property owners. The second session provided critical updates on EPA’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requirements, effective service line communication strategies, and recommendations for successful partnerships between utilities and community organizations.
- Navigating Updates to NJ PACT REAL: Attendees explored the latest updates to the NJ PACT REAL program and its implications for green infrastructure and stormwater management in response to New Jersey’s increasing flooding challenges.
- Tackling PFAS Pollution: This breakout session provided valuable updates on PFAS policies from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and insights from Clean Water Action on educating policymakers about the risks associated with PFAS chemicals. Click here to learn more.
- Unlocking the Potential of Stormwater Utilities: Perspectives and Progress in New Jersey: This session explored the latest developments, opportunities, and challenges in implementing stormwater utilities in New Jersey. Speakers representing Newark and Maplewood shared what they learned via their feasibility studies. Learn about the process from experts from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) representatives who also shared their process on NJ stormwater utility grants. Click here to access the slide deck.
- Strategic Vision for Water Infrastructure: A discussion on advancing water infrastructure policy amid changing political landscapes emphasized strategies for ensuring the needs of water systems remain a priority for both state and federal administrations.
- Securing Water Infrastructure Funding: Attendees engaged in one-on-one meetings with representatives from NJDEP, Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions / Environmental Finance Center, Environmental Policy Innovation Center, and New Jersey Future’s Funding Navigator programs to explore funding opportunities for water infrastructure projects.
The afternoon general session started with a warm welcome from Nicole E. Brown, Client Development Manager at Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc., facilitator of the Emerging Water Leaders of Color Leadership Circle and co-founder of the Black Water Professionals Alliance. Denise Venuti Free from New Jersey American Water, greeted the audience on behalf of the title sponsor. The fire chat conversation featured Jyoti Venketraman from New Jersey Future, Pamela Russo with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Alana Vega from the Fund for New Jersey. They discussed how philanthropic efforts can support initiatives to improve water access and equity. They emphasized that sponsors and philanthropic support are necessary to advance our work.
George Hawkins of Moonshot Missions delivered the keynote address. Rather than using the podium, he chose to stand at ground level to share various stories from his experiences at DC Water with the audience. One notable story involved George summarizing the organization’s performance and making a case for a rate increase to a packed audience. He explained how apparent conflicts can often conceal underlying opportunities for collaboration. For DC Water, a particular collaboration linked the combined sewer program with green infrastructure, leading to immediate improvements in water quality and community well-being and local hiring in those same communities. George discussed how this collaborative approach allowed DC Water to gain community support for a variety of one-water programs, even as rates were rising to fund Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control. He also highlighted how his team integrated a Better Business Practice (BBP) approach—one of the financial tools that facilitates transformative change—and explained the importance of this tool.
The event concluded with a celebration toast by Margaret Waldroff, past Geraldine Dodge Foundation program officer and current Duke Farms Executive Director. Margaret was a founding member of Jersey Water Works. Andy Kricun, Steering Committee co-chair, also offered a toast.
“At the ten-year anniversary of the Jersey Water Works initiative, I am proud to look back on the work that we have accomplished thus far. And I am looking forward to continuing the work to ensure that every NJ resident has affordable access to safe drinking water and clean waterways” Andy Kricun, Moonshot Missions, co-chair, JWW
The celebration included cupcakes, apple cider, and a slide deck highlighting achievements over the past decade and the collaborative spirit driving the water community forward. Cheers to ten years!
“I have been attending the annual Jersey Water Works Conference since 2019, and with each year witnessed the growth leading up to the 10th anniversary of the group. Where else can you attend an event to share perspectives with policymakers, regulators, industry professionals, consultants and business owners.” – Richard Calbi Jr. P.E., P.P. Director of Operations – Ridgewood Water & Village Sanitation & Recycling
“I thought the CSO and public engagement session led by folks from CCMUA, etc. was awesome! I appreciated the interdisciplinary panel and thought the speakers were very knowledgeable. Shawn LaTourette also gave a great speech, and it was informative to have a state leader lay out a broad perspective to energize and inform attendees’ own work. There were lots of opportunities to network, which I appreciated. The venue was awesome and very easy to navigate.” – Anonymous feedback survey respondent.
Participants were asked to submit their 2025 water commitment goals. Stay tuned for the upcoming initiatives and collaborations that will continue to drive progress in making the changes we want to see in water infrastructure and the environment throughout New Jersey!
You can find more information about the conference through blogs written by attendees:
- Newark Water and Sewer Staff Attends the 2024 Jersey Water Works Conference
- Collaboration and Community Engagement: North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) Highlights from Jersey Water Works 2024 Conference
Click here to access the conference program book, conference slides, photos, and more.