October 14, 2020

Your Voice is Needed in Water Infrastructure Decisions

Now that the October 1 submittal deadline for the combined sewer overflow plans has come and gone, what should you do?  The deadline not only kicked off the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) review of the plans, but also a public review of the plans and provides an opportunity for community members to submit comments. All of the plans that were submitted to NJDEP and will be posted online here.  Your voice is needed to ensure that the solutions are affordable; keep residents healthy; invest in local jobs, businesses, and neighborhoods; and create more green spaces that promote climate resiliency. Learn more here.

What We’re Looking for in the CSO Long Term Control Plans

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers partners will be reviewing the CSO Long Term Control Plans to assess a number of elements, such as plans for financing projects, implementation schedules, how public participation was captured, and the extent to which green infrastructure was considered. Learn more about which features of these plans we're paying attention to and why they matter here.

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers Partners are Engaging Communities on CSOs

In September, Jersey City groups spearheaded by the Greenville Neighborhood Alliance held a zoom meeting for residents to ask questions about flooding and sewer repairs. Lindsey Sigmund, Jersey City Environmental Planner, outlined the city’s land use issues related to flooding and Richie Haytas, Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority Chief Engineer, talked about the planned and ongoing sewer repairs in the city. Community members asked questions about flooding, sewer backups, and plans to address combined sewer overflows.  CREWS in the News  The Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign is funded by a generous grant from The Kresge Foundation to New Jersey Future. As part of an initiative that funds 24 grantees, the Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) initiative is a program working to transform stormwater and wastewater systems with climate-resilient water management practices that emphasize equity.This month we are featuring the work of another CREWS grantee, River Network. River Network is launching the NEW Community-Based Participatory Research Technical Assistance Grants Program. Applications are due Wednesday, October 28. For more information, please visit: https://www.rivernetwork.org/cbpr-grants/

Imagine a Day Without Water on October 21

Imagine a Day Without Water is a national education campaign that brings together diverse stakeholders to highlight how water is essential, invaluable, and in need of investment. This year, the day of action will take place on Oct. 21, and will include events, resolutions, student contests, social media engagement, and more. Here are 5 ways that you can participate.

Register for the Sixth Annual Jersey Water Works Conference

The conference will be virtual and held over three days, December 9 to December 11. Day one will have two separate sessions: Inspirational conference kick-off. We’ll hear from a keynote speaker, a government speaker, and an update on the progress being made by the collaborative.  Plenary panel where speakers from diverse perspectives explore a pressing topic, such as: “How do we pay for water upgrades in fiscally challenging times.”  Days two and three will offer four in-depth sessions geared towards our diverse stakeholders, with rich content and technical assistance to assist those in the field so they can continue to make progress. Staggered times will allow attendees to join multiple sessions.  Register here.

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Upcoming Events

Imagine a Day Without Water October 21, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sixth Annual Jersey Water Works Conference December 9 to December 11

About This Campaign

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers is an action-oriented campaign that empowers community organizations to engage residents and small business owners to shape the solutions that will be adopted in July 2020 to reduce localized flooding and the raw sewage dumped into our waterways. It is organized by its partners and an advisory board, with the support of New Jersey Future.

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