Comments on SFY24 Drinking Water and Clean Water Intended Use Plans Submitted on Behalf of the Asset Management and Finance Committee of the Jersey Water Works Collaborative Every day we depend on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems to deliver essential services. But much of the underlying infrastructure requires significant investment to be brought into… Continue reading Comments on SFY24 Drinking Water and Clean Water Intended Use Plans
Topic: Drinking Water
PFAS in the Garden State: What It Is and What We’re Doing About It
If the increased prevalence of the term “perfluoroalkyl” has you scratching your head, you’re not alone! Read on to learn about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), why you should care, and what we’re doing about it here in New Jersey.
On water, NJ faces a confluence of challenges
Photo credit: (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File) Oct. 21, 2021: A utility crew places a toxic lead water pipe onto the road after extracting it from an apartment building and under the street in Newark, N.J. “Is New Jersey facing a perfect storm of challenges to its water supply? It’s tempting to think so, in light… Continue reading On water, NJ faces a confluence of challenges
Affordability of Residential Drinking Water and Sewer Utility Services
An analysis of New Jersey estimates water and sewer costs pose affordability concerns for roughly one-fifth of all households. Nationally, the residential household costs of drinking water and sewer utility services have been increasing faster than the consumer price index (inflation) and faster than median household incomes since the 1980s. What was once a minor… Continue reading Affordability of Residential Drinking Water and Sewer Utility Services
In the face of more intense flooding issues, experts share innovative solutions for building climate resilience into our water systems
“Resiliency is not a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity.” This statement by Oleg Kostin, Director of Operations at New Jersey American Water, was echoed throughout the Resilient Water Systems in the Face of a Changing Climate workshop at the 2021 Jersey Water Works conference. In September 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida barreled through New Jersey,… Continue reading In the face of more intense flooding issues, experts share innovative solutions for building climate resilience into our water systems
Lead Service Line Replacement… And Now For the Hard Part
In July, 2021, Governor Murphy signed a new law (P.L.2021, c.183; https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/AL21/183_.HTM) requiring the state’s water utilities to replace lead service lines (LSLs) within ten years. Implementation will be challenging. The few cities in other states that have successfully tackled this problem typically required 20 to 25 years to complete the job. To accelerate the… Continue reading Lead Service Line Replacement… And Now For the Hard Part
NJ sets tougher standards for drinking water suppliers
Photo Credit: NJ Spotlight News Water filtration system Governor Murphy signed into law amendments to the Water Quality Accountability Act on Nov. 9. JWW co-chair Andy Kricun, Steering Committee member Rich Calbi, and members Dan Van Abs and Chris Sturm are quoted.
Water Utilities as Anchor Institutions
Water utilities can root themselves as anchor institutions within their communities. Anchor institutions are: Public service entities—like hospitals, universities, or utilities–which are tied to a location due to infrastructure or mission. Entities that provide critical services and vital assets to improve economy, health, environment and well-being in communities. Organizations that provide active civic leadership and… Continue reading Water Utilities as Anchor Institutions
Op-ed: We have the cash. It’s time to fix New Jersey’s water systems.
The American Rescue Plan has provided New Jersey state and local budgets with a surplus that can be used immediately to upgrade our failing water infrastructure, complete long-awaited health and safety improvements, and spur economic growth by ensuring that local contracting results in local jobs. The American Rescue Plan delivered a total of $10 billion… Continue reading Op-ed: We have the cash. It’s time to fix New Jersey’s water systems.
What Goes into Making Drinking Water Safe to Drink? Learn from Jersey WaterCheck Metrics
Jersey WaterCheck, which launched in March 2021, is a Jersey Water Works project that features more than 50 metrics related to our drinking water and wastewater systems. Recently, we created a short video to explain the context and nuances of the metric “met primary drinking water standards that protect against harmful bacteria.” Drinking water utilities… Continue reading What Goes into Making Drinking Water Safe to Drink? Learn from Jersey WaterCheck Metrics