May 2016
Photos of the Month 
On May 14, the Down Bottom Farms opened for business at 375 Ferry St. in Newark. The urban farm includes orchard plantings (left) and rain collection systems (right) installed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program.
Photos courtesy of Ironbound Community Corporation
Gloucester City, Jersey City and Perth Amboy Selected To Accelerate Water Infrastructure Innovation

From the many excellent applications received, Gloucester City, Jersey City and Perth Amboy were selected  to receive customized technical assistance to design integrated, innovative CSO solutions. The cities will also receive engineering services (valued at approximately $17,000 per selected community) to support the preparation of project implementation funding applications for submission following the BIG technical assistance process. 

Check out what mayors James, Fulop and Diaz have to say about their approach to CSO solutions and read  the full story here.

Jersey Water Works Makes Progress on its Work Plan

After the release of the Jersey Water Works  2016 Work Plan last month, the collaborative's committees have made important strides toward accomplishing their goals.   A few highlights:
  • The Best Practices Committee and the Green Infrastructure Committee are working on detailed Sustainable Jersey actions, after the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program approved the committees' action proposals in April.
  • The Municipal Outreach Committee is working on next steps for regional training and education sessions for municipal decision makers.
  • The Community Engagement Committee has discussed DEP's public outreach guidance document and the co-chairs have provided essential feedback to DEP.
  • The Finance Committee is working on a case study highlighting innovative funding techniques in Camden.
If you can't measure it, you can't fix it. Jersey Water Works committees are also in the process of establishing a measurement system that will help track internal and external progress toward Jersey Water Works' goals. They have already adopted measurements for three of the collaborative's sub-goals!

Learn more about the committees and the work being accomplished. If you are not already a member and you would like to join, email Max Brekke or sign up here.

Jersey Water Works Membership Meeting July 25 

Announcing Keynotes: Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Senior Fellow for the US Water Alliance Howard M. Neukrug  

Join Jersey Water Works members this summer as we convene to discuss the state of water infrastructure in New Jersey and the progress being made by Jersey Water Works and its committees. Don't miss this great networking opportunity. More information will be announced shortly!

Not a member yet? Come to the membership meeting and learn more about the collaborative. Or you can join Jersey Water Works today ...  Sign up here for free.


Member Highlight

$1.2 million interest-free loan for Elizabeth (NJToday). A 10-year loan, provided by the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as part of a new NJDEP permit process adopted July 1, 2015, is designed to help City of Elizabeth develop innovative strategies to reduce pollution from combined sewer overflows that impair waterways.


 
Signs of Spring?  (NY/NJ Baykeeper). Each combined sewer outfall in New Jersey now has to be labeled with a sign that faces both the land and the water to warn people of the health risks associated with coming into contact with the water after it rains.

Jersey Water Works Delegation To Attend National Water Conference (Jersey Water Works). Jersey Water Works has coordinated a 14-person New Jersey delegation to attend the One Water Summit in Atlanta June 8-10. Follow the event on social media using the hashtag #OneWater16.

Chipping Away: Water Infrastructure Improvements Improve Health, Safety and Quality of Life (Jersey Water Works). During infrastructure week, Jersey Water Works joined organizations from across the country to recognize progress and leadership at the federal, state and local levels, including celebrating important steps in Perth Amboy, Jersey City and Hoboken.

A special roundtable discussion at Redevelopment Forum 2016 focused on the opportunities green bonds present to fund resiliency efforts and water-infrastructure upgrades in New Jersey.

Leaders From 34 Municipalities Learn About Green Infrastructure  (New Jersey Future). New Jersey Future recently hosted workshops in the Pinelands and Highlands for municipal leaders, to introduce them to the benefits and opportunities presented by green infrastructure.

Water Infrastructure in the News

Christie Orders Lead Tests for All New Jersey Public Schools  (New York Times). Gov. Chris Christie announced that in fall 2016 all of New Jersey's public schools will be required to begin testing for lead. He also asked the Legislature to include $10 million to pay for the testing program.
Note:  Jersey Water Works is in the process of creating a lead resource section on its website to provide up-to-date information about lead in New Jersey's water. Stay tuned!

Congress can no longer ignore N.J.'s aging water, sewer infrastructure | Opinion (NJ.com). Robert Briant Jr., chairman of the Clean Water Construction Coalition and chief executive officer of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, explains the potential water infrastructure catastrophe brewing underneath the ground in New Jersey.

Which N.J. schools have found lead in their water?  (NJ.com). Schools in the following districts have announced they have found elevated levels of lead in their water: Bridgewater-Raritan, Bergenfield, Denville, Ewing, Hamilton (Mercer), Lawrenceville, Leonia, Newark, New Brunswick, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Paterson, Princeton, West Windsor-Plainsboro.

Tapping Camden youth to help map infrastructure (Courier- Post). American Water announced it would partner with a city program called PowerCorps to map out pipes, drains, meters and hydrants to enable American Water to maintain the system more effectively and conserve water, and to help Camden's young people hone their work skills on the path to employment.

Highlighted Resource: 2015 Water Quality Reports Released

Passaic Valley Water Commission 2015 Water Quality Reports . The Passaic Valley Water Commission has released Water Quality Reports for the municipalities it serves, including Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Prospect Park, Lodi, North Arlington, and a section of Woodland Park. Reports show PVWC has met all primary health-based standards in 2015 except a high total coliform bacteria in North Arlington drinking water  and high levels of lead in Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Prospect Park and Woodland Park drinking water due to a  prohibition against corrosion control .

New Jersey American Water 2015 Water Quality Reports . New Jersey American Water has recently released its Water Quality Reports, showing full compliance with all drinking-water standards.

Upcoming Events

June 2, 2016: Delaware River Urban Waters All Partners Meeting . The meeting will explore ways that the Urban Waters Federal Partnership can serve as a network to improve water quality, water access and community resiliency.

June 8, 2016:  Restoring the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary . This event, hosted by the Waters We Share effort, steered by the Harbor & Estuary Program's Restoration Work Group, will focus on using the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan as a vision for the future of the estuary.

June 10, 2016: 8th Annual Sustainable Raritan River Conference . This conference will provide a forum for identifying a Rutgers University-wide agenda for stewardship of the Raritan, and establish a network for collaboration among university-based research, extension and outreach-efforts related to the Raritan Basin.

June 8-10, 2016:  One Water Summit 2016 , Atlanta. At this U.S. Water Alliance event, utilities, business leaders, policymakers, environmental advocates, community leaders, and researchers will gather and assess how water drives economic growth, environmental sustainability, and opportunity for all in the United States. Learn more about Jersey Water Works' New Jersey delegation and how to get involved.

June 14, 2016:  Goal Setting for Watershed/Harbor Estuary Ecosystem . The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, the Raritan Riverkeeper, Middlesex County Office of Planning, the Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, and the New Brunswick Environmental Commission will host a public workshop to discuss access to the Raritan River in the context of the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program's Five-Year Action Agenda.

June 15, 2016:  2016 New Jersey Sustainability Summit . More than 300 diverse participants from across New Jersey will discuss engaging government, community, schools, business and academia in sustainable action.  With 15 concurrent sustainability sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn, listen and discuss issues ranging from energy, waste, economic development and education to the arts and creative culture.

July 25, 2016: Jersey Water Works Summer Membership Meeting . Join Jersey Water Works members this summer as we convene to discuss the state of water infrastructure in New Jersey. Don't miss this networking opportunity! Keynote Speakers: Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Senior Fellow for the US Water Alliance Howard M. Neukrug.

Sept. 15-16, 2016:  2016 Mid-Atlantic Conference of the American Water Resources Association , Wilmington, DE.  The conference program will include a wide range of water resources topics directed to interested practitioners, researchers and students from a variety of disciplines. Abstracts due May 2, 2016. Hosted by the Delaware Section of the American Water Resources Association.

Stay Up to Date 

Subscribe to the following member  newsletters  for updates and resources: 
Jersey Water Works is a collaborative effort working to transform New Jersey's inadequate water infrastructure through sustainable, cost-effective solutions that provide communities with clean water and waterways; healthier, safer neighborhoods; local jobs; flood and climate resilience; and economic growth.

Jersey Water Works welcomes individuals and organizations committed to working towards transforming New Jersey's inadequate water infrastructure through sustainable, cost-effective solutions that provide communities multiple benefits. 
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Staff Contacts: 
Managing Director, Policy and Water
New Jersey Future
609-393-0008 x114
Jane Rosenblatt
Program Coordinator
New Jersey Future
609-393-0008 x110
Max Brekke
Planning and Policy Associate
New Jersey Future 
Planning and Policy Associate
New Jersey Future
609-393-0008 x108