July 2020
This NorthJersey.com article describes how on July 6, a flash flood swept a car a mile down a brook that runs below the city of Passaic. The driver, who is now safe, was able to escape her car in the storm drain and climbed out when she reached the outlet above the Passaic River. Watch the video here .
A successful (virtual!) Membership Meeting
On July 20, Jersey Water Works held its first virtual Membership Meeting. A record number of over 140 attendees joined the event to:
  • Learn about how dedicated study from the legislature; quick action from the Department of Environmental Protection; reliable, safe service from utilities; and dynamic community engagement are cultivating sustainable solutions to water issues highlighted by the pandemic.
  • Get insight on how customers will be able to stay informed and connected to water and wastewater utilities when the JWW data dashboard, Jersey WaterCheck, is launched later this year.
  • Hear spotlights on the committees’ priority projects and how to get involved.

We welcomed a range of participants: almost one third attended their first JWW meeting on July 20, and over half of the attendees have been involved in water work for more than 10 years! Missed the meeting? Watch the recording on the JWW YouTube channel ! Read more about the highlights of the event .
Seven JWW Member Organizations Testify to Assembly Special Committee
On Thursday, July 23, the Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources received testimony from JWW members highlighting the need for water infrastructure funding, local hiring and training in underserved areas, and the economic benefits of water infrastructure investments. Read more in this press release from the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.
  • Alison Black, American Road and Transportation Builders Association
  • *Zoe Baldwin, Utility and Transportation Contractors Association
  • **Tom Churchelow, New Jersey Utilities Association
  • *Cheryl Norton, NJ American Water 
  • *Jim Mastrokalos, Suez
  • *Steve Blankenship, AWWA-NJ Section
  • Paula Figueroa Vega, New Jersey Future* and **Drew Curtis, Ironbound Community Corporation for Jersey Water Works
  • **Andy Kricun, Moonshot Missions

* denotes JWW member or member organization
** denotes JWW Steering Committee member
DOE regulations for lead testing in schools
Following up on a recommendation made by the Lead in Drinking Water Task Force, the New Jersey Board of Education expects to soon finalize amendments to lead testing regulations related to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The change accelerates the time frame for lead testing from the current 6 years to 3 years to match the schedule for child care facilities.

How can green infrastructure help reduce CSO events?
Earth Economics, in partnership with the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign, released this flyer to inform local communities, organizations, permit holders, and policymakers on the benefits of green infrastructure as they implement solutions to stop sewage overflows. 

Rivers as Economic Engines
American Rivers released a new report, “ Rivers as Economic Engines: Investing in clean water, communities and our future .” The report makes a case for transformational federal investment in clean water and healthy rivers, calling for $500 billion over 10 years in federal spending to improve water infrastructure, modernize flood management, and revitalize watersheds.
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Jersey Water Works Updates
New JWW Report: Bolstering the Water Workforce with Innovative Programs
In the City of Camden, two programs, PowerCorps Camden and Camden Works, were created to train residents of low-income communities and communities of color in green infrastructure maintenance and/or connect them to employment opportunities, including those in the water industry. The JWW CSO Committee recently issued this case study detailing how these workforce training programs are structured, factors for success and lessons learned.
JWW Recommendations for Green Acres Rules  
The JWW Green Infrastructure Committee sent recommendations to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection proposing revisions to integrate green infrastructure into the Green Acres grant application process , and collect information on existing green infrastructure projects in parks.
Save the date: CSO Long Term Control Plan Review Workshop

On August 18 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, the JWW CSO Committee, the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign, and Newark DIG are hosting their second Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) review workshop. The workshop will focus on reviewing the LTCPs and submitting comments to municipal and utility permit holders, and then to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Part 1 of the CSO LTCP review workshop focused on the nine requirements of the CSO LTCPs.
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Water Infrastructure in the News

New Jersey:

National:
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.
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Staff contacts:
Program Manager
New Jersey Future
(609) 393-0008 x112
Program Coordinator
New Jersey Future
(609) 393-0008 x106
Policy and Program Coordinator
New Jersey Future
(609) 393-0008 x109
Community Outreach Manager
New Jersey Future
(510) 452-7178