The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) released the FINAL five-year Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) implementation plan (“CSO permit”) for the Town of Guttenberg and North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority (NBMUA) in Hudson County, NJ. This is the culmination of eight years of diligent work by NJDEP, permit holders, stakeholders, and Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers Advisory Board members and partners.

That means plans to reduce sewage overflows into the Hudson River and local street flooding in that area have a set 10-year timeline and clear requirements! The onus is now on the municipalities and permit holders to follow these plans and timelines with expediency and on the NJDEP to monitor and enforce the plans.

Thank you to NJDEP for working closely with stakeholders and the 60 community members and organizations who participated in the public hearings and submitted written comments earlier this year! Thank you to the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers (SFSR) Advisory Board, partner organizations, and members of the ad-hoc permit review team. The permit review team evaluates whether the plans will provide maximum benefit to the community. They are an ad-hoc collaboration of members from the SFSR Advisory Board and Jersey Water Works Combined Sewer Overflow Committee with backbone support by New Jersey Future staff.

Recent public and written comments as part of the Guttenberg/North Bergen MUA permit review process elevated the need for guidance on public engagement for permit holders. As a result, NJDEP agreed to create a separate guidance document to help permit holders intentionally, inclusively, and transparently engage the public in the implementation process. If you live in Guttenberg or North Bergen, look out for notice on the formation of your CSO Supplemental Team who will be key to the implementation. Consider joining that team and/or attending those meetings!

If you are inspired by the news of the final Guttenberg/NBMUA permit and the impact of public comments on permit finalization, here is a chance to do more!

On May 30, NJDEP released the draft Combined Sewer Overflow permits for the Town of Elizabeth and the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties (JMEUC). This is the third of seven draft regional permits that were released this year.

When the wastewater treatment plant and combined sewer system in Elizabeth reaches capacity during heavy storms, the excess wastewater and raw sewage discharges into the Elizabeth River, Arthur Kill, and Newark Bay via 29 combined sewer outfalls! These waterways are tributaries to the Lower New York Bay, a part of the NY/NJ Harbor Complex Basin. When these combined sewer systems reach capacity, combined sewage can also flood into local streets and homes. (Learn more about this issue at www.sewagefreeNJ.org).

Whether you live in Elizabeth or another New Jersey community, please join the effort to protect water quality and reduce the burden of combined sewer overflows to communities. Share your input with NJDEP by July 13.  

Submit written comments: via email to: dwq_bswp@dep.nj.gov or via postal mail to NJDEP: Susan Rosenwinkel, Chief, or Attention: Comments on Public Notice NJ0029084 and/or NJ0108715, at Mail Code 401-02B, Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Surface Water & Pretreatment Permitting, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420

Do you need help formulating your comments? Please email Suzanne Aptman, program manager, at saptman@njfuture.org.

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers has some wonderful partner organizations!

Today we shine the spotlight on the Passaic River Water Coalition which considers themselves “guardians and stewards of the Passaic River and its watershed” since 1969. This advocacy organization was established to “give valuable assistance and stewardship for the preservation and protection of over 1,000 miles of waterways” within the Passaic River watershed. Their programs focus on the improvement of water quality, stormwater and river flooding, expansion of recreational & natural areas, enhancement of water supply, groundwater management, and stewardship of their land trust. They have also been a great advocacy partner in our work to reduce combined sewer overflows and sewage-backed local flooding!

Inspired by their work? Want to help to clean up the Passaic River? Learn more here. Join them at Paterson’s Third Annual City of Water Day, Saturday, July 15 for a community cleanup, kayaking, fishing, and connecting with nature for all participants.

This month, we highlight the work of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) which describes itself as a “community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring our community’s natural resources”. WAWA represents African American neighborhoods in Northwest and Southwest Atlanta that are the most inundated with environmental stressors, but are least represented at environmental decision-making tables.”

Among their successes, WAWA preserved over 400 acres of green space from development in Southwest Atlanta. They also operate a 26-acre urban forest preserve and nature center, co-steward the 135-acre Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, as well as the 200-acre Lionel Hampton Beecher Park; all in Southwest Atlanta.

On April 12, Sewage-Free Streets & Rivers partnering with the Jersey Water Works CSO Committee hosted our second Community Meeting & Webinar on the North Hudson Sewerage Authority draft permit. This was the second of seven draft regional permits being released this year. This was a chance to demystify combined sewer systems and CSOs, discuss recommendations to improve this permit and share best practices for advocating to the NJDEP. It was a great event!

Then, on April 17, Sewage-Free Streets & Rivers submitted written comments on that draft permit. Read our recommendations, especially our request to shorten the timeline for construction. 2045 is too long for the Hudson River to wait!

New Jersey Future and APA New Jersey are proud to present the annual New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment three-day conference convening virtually on June 21–22 and in person on June 23 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. The conference will feature a multitude of timely session offerings as we reimagine land use in a rapidly changing and post-pandemic environment. Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers will be tabling there. Make sure to stop by! Register here.

On June 6, Governor Murphy announced the Administration’s upcoming adoption of the landmark Inland Flood Protection Rule to better protect New Jersey’s communities from worsening riverine flooding and stormwater runoff.

“The Inland Flood Protection Rule is a crucial regulation to protect our inland waterway communities from devastating flooding and will be a vital step in protecting all New Jerseyans from the growing threat of climate change and sea level rise. We are encouraged to see this rule adopted and look forward to continuing the fight for a more resilient New Jersey,” said Michele Langa, staff attorney for NY/NJ Baykeeper and Hackensack Riverkeeper and Sewage-Free Streets & Rivers Advisory Board Member

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched an interactive dashboard that provides regularly updated information to help local governments and the public track the progress of funding for much-needed drinking water and clean water infrastructure projects that are important to the health and economic vitality of the Garden State.

Join stormwater utility experts for a town hall-style opportunity for New Jersey utility leaders, government stormwater managers, municipal and county representatives, and elected officials to gain insight on establishing a sustainable and dedicated stormwater funding mechanism. The Jersey Water Works Stormwater Utility Subcommittee is hosting a *free* five-part webinar series monthly starting in June through November. Each session includes a short presentation followed by a Q&A discussion. Attend one or all sessions. Register here.

Connect, exchange updates, and advance the conversation about the state’s water infrastructure and the need for statewide holistic lead remediation. Don’t miss the chance to engage with other water leaders, advocates, decision-makers, and community champions. SFSR’s partner, the Jersey Water Work’s Combined Sewer Overflow Committee will be hosting a workshop at the Meeting. We hope to see you there! Registration is free, register today!