Yesterday Jersey Water Works  released its 2016 work plan,  which outlines the steps committees will take this year towards accomplishing the collaborative’s long-term goals.

“The Jersey Water Works collaborative has set itself the loftiest of goals — to ensure that the state’s cities and towns have the 21st-century water infrastructure they need to thrive,” said Dan Van Abs, associate professor of practice for water, society and the environment at Rutgers University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and a member of Jersey Water Works’ Steering Committee. “This year’s work plan is a set of clearly defined action items that will help make significant progress toward those goals.”

Jersey Water Works committees will reconvene in May and have already made significant progress on collaborative actions. Interested in working with members from other sectors to help accomplish the items in the work plan? To join Jersey Water Works, email Max Brekke or sign up here.

Investing in New Jersey’s Water Infrastructure (NJTV News). Perth Amboy is working to replace one mile of four-inch water main, costing the city a million and a half bucks. Commenting on the project, Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz said, “It’s extensive, the work that they’re doing right now, currently. And it just has to get done.”

State Audit Says Camden's Water/Sewer System Improving (Philadelphia Inquirer). The office of the state comptroller found that Camden officials and United Water fully or partially implemented 19 of 23 recommendations made in a 2009 audit that compared the utility to that of a Third World country, according to a state report.

Paterson to Study Sewer Flow From Neighboring Towns (Paterson Times). Paterson intends to award a $51,530 engineering contract to Iselin-based Mott MacDonald to investigate the sewage flow from neighboring towns, in the hope of billing those towns for their use of Paterson's municipal sewer system.

Emerson Seeks to Ease Flooding (NorthJersey.com). Borough Engineer Gary Ascolese presented the Borough Council with several options to build new stormwater retention pipes in order to mitigate the chronic flooding in a portion of town.

Congressman Warns N.J. Water Systems in 'Dire' Need of Fixing (NJ.com). U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Jr. warns that New Jersey's water infrastructure is in dire condition. During a visit to Perth Amboy the congressman highlighted recent efforts to secure federal funds for water infrastructure improvements.

Jersey City to Make $94 Million in Water and Sewer Improvements (Hudson Reporter). Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced that the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority will invest $94 million on improvements to city water and sewer infrastructure in 2016, much of which replaces century-old drinking water and wastewater pipes. 

Byram May Join Newton in Green Infrastructure Pilot Program (New Jersey Herald).  Byram Township is considering becoming one of three pilot towns to participate in a project administered by New Jersey Future that seeks to make green infrastructure the first choice for stormwater management.

New York State offers grants to help communities with monitoring, reporting of combined sewer overflows (NYDEC). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that up to $500,000 in funding is now available for projects that will assist communities with the detection, monitoring and reporting of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to to meet the reporting requirements of the Sewage Pollution Right To Know Law.