March 2021
Water means different things to different people. March 22 was World Water Day, which encourages people around the world share what water means to them. The Watershed Institute shared a series of videos in a blog post celebrating the day. What does water mean to you? Let us know on JWW social media. 
Jersey Water Works Updates
We can do more by working together: Announcing JWW’s 2021 work plan!
Jersey Water Works is excited to announce the release of its 2021 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.

Join a committee and help shape the future of New Jersey’s water infrastructure. Some of the new exciting projects include:
  • Mapping water risk and demographic data
  • Water affordability for utilities and customers
  • Long Term Control Plan implementation
  • Workforce development, and much more!
Jersey WaterCheck is live! Have you found your water system on the dashboard?
The Jersey Water Works data dashboard Jersey WaterCheck is now open to the public! Missed last week's Jersey WaterCheck webinar? Catch up with the recording. The webinar highlighted:
  • How Jersey WaterCheck can be your connection to understanding New Jersey’s water
  • Key features of this innovative web-based dashboard
  • How Jersey WaterCheck can help you connect to your utility
Safe drinking water is still New Jerseyans’ top environmental concern
JWW and New Jersey Future just released a 2021 survey, following a survey conducted in 2017, to understand New Jerseyans’ knowledge about the state of their water systems and their water priorities. The follow up survey showed that respondents’ highest environmental concern from both surveys was drinking water quality, and ensuring that all people have safe drinking water should be a top priority for our governor and Legislature. JWW will use the results to refine the collaborative’s strategies and to inform Jersey WaterCheck.
The Cost of Inaction

Funding available for qualifying utilities. Check it out! 
On March 3, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the Acoustic Testing Pilot Program, a new $1.5 million grant program for water utilities to install detection technology to identify and correct water leaks, saving water energy and money, especially in overburdened communities. Qualifying water utilities in New Jersey can apply for a grant.
Re-envisioning water quality reports. Is your water safe to drink?
The Environmental Policy Innovation Center recognized a diverse group of leaders working to redesign water quality reports so that anyone, anywhere can quickly and easily determine if their tap water is safe to drink with the 2020 Water Data Prize. See the submissions, full report, and explore innovative ways to simply and effectively communicate water quality reports.
Register for Tap Into Resilience summit, where New Jersey water leaders will elevate state’s innovation
WaterNow Alliance is hosting the Tap Into Resilience Virtual Summit on April 6-8. The summit is for local decision-makers to explore cutting-edge water infrastructure funding strategies. Eliminate barriers and advance sustainable water programs in your community by connecting with a network of water leaders at the summit who share a vision for a more resilient water future.
Newark Mayor Baraka recognized for model lead in drinking water solutions
WaterNow Alliance awarded a 2021 Impact Award to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for his leadership in crafting an innovative, equitable solution to lead in drinking water for city residents. Newark’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program now serves as a national model. Join the award ceremony for Mayor Baraka and the other award winners at Tap Into Resilience on April 7.
Let's tackle lead together. Join the new Lead-Free NJ collaborative
All children deserve to have access to healthy, safe spaces and clean drinking water. New Jersey’s toxic legacy of lead puts these basic rights at risk. Contact Jael Davis to join Lead-Free NJ, a collaborative pushing for policy change to ensure lead-free children and a lead-safe environment.
New stormwater rules require green infrastructure
Check out NJDEP’s amended Stormwater Management Rules. This new rule aligns with the collaborative’s goal to advance successful and beneficial green infrastructure to maximize community benefits, reduce flooding, improve water quality, community health, and resiliency.
Trenton continues first ever water apprenticeship program
Trenton Water Works is preparing for the second semester of its two-year Training and Apprenticeship Program. The training program is a joint effort between the City of Trenton, NJ Water Association, Mercer County Community College, and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
New NJDEP Community Collaborative Initiative (CCI) website
The NJDEP Community Collaborative Initiative (CCI) now has an updated website. CCI promotes quality of life for New Jersey’s distressed communities through place-based partnerships, aligning environmental revitalization, and economic development for healthy community outcomes. Check out the cities and liaisons, program highlights, media, FAQs, and more.
East Trenton Collaborative and Trenton Water Works win partnership-building grant
River Network and WaterNow Alliance awarded a Partnership-Building Technical Assistance Grant to Trenton Water Works (TWW) and the East Trenton Collaborative (ETC). The grant will help mobilize ETC’s relationship with the East Trenton neighborhood and TWW’s technical expertise in a public outreach campaign that is responsive to the community’s concerns and directly incorporates resident feedback in TWW’s decision-making process.
Legislative Updates
A2863/S968—Requires public water systems to provide notice of elevated lead levels in drinking water to customers and local officials; requires landlords to notify tenants of elevated lead levels. Scheduled vote by Assembly on March 25.

A5343—Requires public community water systems to inventory and replace lead service lines within 10 years; provides for recoupment of costs by investor-owned public water systems. Scheduled for vote by Assembly on March 25.

A5407—Removes restrictions on special assessments and bond issuances for replacement of residential lead service lines; revises budgetary requirements for operators of certain water systems. Scheduled for vote by Assembly on March 25.

S3414—Promotes workforce diversity in public works projects; revises "public works projects" definition to permit project labor agreements for more projects. Reported out of the Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading on March 15.
Job, Award, and Funding Opportunities
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2021 Request for Proposals for the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund, proposals due April 1.
  • Eligible projects will sustain and enhance fish and wildlife habitat; improve and maintain water quality for fish, wildlife and people; sustain and enhance water management to benefit fish and wildlife; and improve outdoor recreational opportunities.
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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