An Agenda For Change

This white paper from New Jersey Future summarizes the outcome of a 2014 gathering on water infrastructure, including guiding principles for improving urban water infrastructure, drivers for action and a set of action steps to stimulate progress.

New Jersey’s Combined Sewer Systems By the Numbers

This fact sheet frames the CSO issue in New Jersey by providing a host of facts about combined sewer systems, including their discharges, demographic and other information on their host municipalities and regional sewer utilities, and CSO solutions. A map is included. New Jersey Future. 2015.

Sewage Overflow Warning Signs Popping Up

Sign warns residents to avoid this Newark Outfall at the Passaic River. Photo courtesy of the City of Newark.

Twenty-four-inch by 18-inch warning signs have been popping up along waterways throughout New Jersey. “Warning” or “Aviso” can be read in bold red letters, advising community members to steer away from nearby waters during rain events that might cause combined sewer overflows (CSOs). During rain events at these sites, raw sewage can flow into waterways,… Continue reading Sewage Overflow Warning Signs Popping Up

Entering a New Era of New Jersey Urban Water Quality

The Jackson Street CSO in Newark

The first of two updates on the progress being made toward addressing the problem of sewage overflows in New Jersey cities. It was written by New Jersey Future graduate intern Sarah Watson. The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission has signaled that it intends to go above and beyond the minimum requirements set in its new state… Continue reading Entering a New Era of New Jersey Urban Water Quality

New Permits Should Spark Generational Community Investments

On March 12, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued final permits to the 25 cities and utilities that operate combined-sewer systems (CSSs), a first step to updating decrepit infrastructure, minimizing flooding and keeping raw sewage from reaching public waterways. The new permits require affected towns and sewer treatment authorities to create and adopt plans… Continue reading New Permits Should Spark Generational Community Investments