February 17, 2021
Organizations, individuals, coalitions, and collaboratives worked tirelessly to submit comments on the combined sewer overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs) to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) before the January 31 deadline. The people who live, work, and own businesses in these communities experience the impacts of these antiquated sewer systems and will pay for the upgrades. And they have a lot to say about these plans.

The Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign submitted general comments, endorsed by 21 organizations from across New Jersey, focused on the following issues:

  • Improving water quality and access. 
  • Making environmental justice part of all aspects of these plans.
  • Ensuring equitable financing of these plans. 
  • Implementing a green infrastructure first approach.
  • Informing, engaging, and empowering communities.  
  • Using the most recent climate change data in the selection, implementation, and evaluation of these plans.

Read more of the comments that were submitted here.
Stormy days ahead call for strong municipal stormwater ordinances. Municipal leaders have the responsibility to prepare for increased rainfall as climate change brings warmer and wetter weather to New Jersey. The Enhanced Model Stormwater Ordinance for Municipalities, a new tool from New Jersey Future, can help towns update their stormwater ordinance to increase green infrastructure and reduce flood risk. 

To learn how to strengthen your town’s stormwater ordinance, read this explanation and include the Enhanced Model Stormwater Ordinance for Municipalities in your planning process. 
Water and wastewater infrastructure are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Jersey WaterCheck, an initiative of Jersey Water Works, brings together information on water and wastewater systems from multiple sources in one easy to use website. Register for the March 18 Webinar to learn how this online resource can connect you to New Jersey water systems and help you understand your water’s story.
On January 27, 56 Jersey Water Works members, including partners of the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign, called on New Jersey’s congressional delegation to support critical investments in our state’s water infrastructure. New Jersey’s communities continue to confront issues including aging infrastructure, lead in drinking water, combined sewer overflows, and polluted waterways, making a federal infrastructure investment essential. Read the letter here.
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 celebrating the work of Jalonne L. White-Newsome as she transitions out of her position as Senior Program Officer with Kresge and featuring her commentary, “Racism has made water hazardous to our health, but climate leaders are hopeful the Biden-Harris administration will bring change.” 
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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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