March 2020

Staying healthy requires reliable, affordable drinking water service and well-functioning water utilities. Jersey Water Works salutes the many water and wastewater sector employees who serve on the front lines to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on public health and safety.
On Friday, March 20, DEP, BPU, and DCA released a joint statement calling on all water providers to suspend shut offs during the COVID-19 outbreak. The statement also asked for safe reconnections for those whose water was previously shut off, and a suspension of liens. New Jersey Utilities Association , New Jersey American Water , and the American Water Works Association also released similar statements. As of March 16, 90 cities and states across the U.S. have suspended water shutoffs during the pandemic, and we hope to see this number grow.


Water utility leaders are sharing expert advice including proactive measures utilities can implement to ensure good service despite disruptions (WaterWorld, by George Hawkins and JWW Steering Committee member Andy Kricun), best practices for water utilities to help "flatten the curve" while sustaining operation of their drinking water and wastewater facilities (Moonshot Missions), financial implications of COVID-19 for water and wastewater utilities (Environmental Finance Center at UNC Chapel Hill), and how treatment plants are handling the pandemic (NJ.com). 

Federal guidance and resources:

National water organizations:
On March 10, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced $2.5 million in grants for projects to evaluate innovative harmful algal bloom mitigation and prevention strategies.
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Jersey Water Works Updates
Get Involved in 2020 Work Plan Projects!

Jersey Water Works is excited to announce the release of its 2020 work plan , which guides the collaborative’s work throughout the year. The  four working committees  will follow the work plan to advance best practices for transforming New Jersey’s water infrastructure and promote the  collaborative’s shared goals .

This year's projects include work on addressing affordability, sharing tools to help review Long Term Control Plans, finding ways to share resources more efficiently, and offering solutions to green infrastructure challenges. Join JWW to get involved in the working committees and be a part of the conversation on work plan projects!
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Legislative Updates

  • A3878/S2325, which prohibits electric, gas, or water public utility service discontinuances to residential customers during certain epidemics, was introduced to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee on March 23.
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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
Planning and Policy Manager
New Jersey Future
(609) 393-0008 x108
Community Outreach Manager
New Jersey Future
510-452-7178