Plans and Commitments

The ACUA is partnering with PolyGone, a startup created by Princeton University graduates, to remove microplastics from treated wastewater at its wastewater treatment facility in Atlantic City, New Jersey. A microplastic filtration system, known as the “Artificial Root,” will be installed to capture particles before the treated wastewater is released into the ocean. The pilot project will be the first of its kind and, if successful, can be replicated at other treatment facilities.

Lead-Free NJ will add a community hub in Essex County and work with the hubs, partners, and members to educate the public about lead hazards and work to secure funding for holistic lead remediation. The recently launched Water Advocacy Committee will continue to convene an open space to investigate lead in drinking water issues and supplement the policy work of the Jersey Water Works Lead in Drinking Water Taskforce. Lead-Free NJ will strengthen its partnership with EPA Accelerator City Trenton and Trenton Water Works in collaboration with the Trenton Hub to support the replacement of lead service lines.

Moonshot Missions’ goal for 2024 is to assist at least 100 underserved, environmental justice communities with drinking water and clean water challenges.

In 2024, Ridgewood Water will continue to support the JWW Lead Service Line Implementation Workgroup and share experiences on our path towards completing the following:

1. Replace another 150 Main to Curb service lines.
2. Complete a comprehensive inventory by identifying remaining unknowns though Hydro-Excavation, In-home Inspections, or Customer Surveys.
3. Achieving final approval on ordinances and shared service agreements with all 4-towns serviced by the utility.
4. Completing a comprehensive Lead Service Line Replacement Plan and new public facing Website Landing Page.

The Watershed Institute and New Jersey Future’s Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure (MGI) program will be updating their enhanced model Stormwater Control Ordinances (SCOs) and providing municipalities with supporting guidance to update their own local SCOs. This will help communities meet the requirements of NJDEP’s newly effective Inland Flood Protection Rule while simultaneously gaining Sustainable Jersey action points.

ANJEC will collaborate with strategic partners to advance water quality improvements by educating local officials about the forthcoming NJPACT regulations on state stormwater requirements pending New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adoption of Phase 2 rule revisions.

ACUA will partner in a ground-breaking green hydrogen project that will generate hydrogen from wastewater effluent at ACUA’s treatment facility in Atlantic City. The process will be fully powered by the five existing wind turbines located on-site. Once created, the hydrogen will be dispersed into the natural gas pipeline and used to power a newly developed heavy duty fuel-cell truck. ACUA intends to use the oxygen by-product of the process in its aeration basins at the treatment facility. The project has received $3.8 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and will require an additional $1 million investment from its partners.

Camden Community Partnership commits to guiding the creation of public art centered on discussions around flooding in Camden. Works such as illustrative temporary sidewalk decals around rain gardens will draw attention and link people walking by to the Camden Community Partnership website to learn more about the artists’ messages, flooding in Camden, and ways to get involved in water equity in Camden.

Clean Water Action and the Clean Water Fund will launch community outreach and lead service line replacement signup efforts in selected communities statewide with a focus on homes where infants, children, and pregnant women are living. They hope to build on successes of the Trenton area “Upstream-Downstream Storm Water” initiative, and to train and create a new generation of water advocates.   

Lead-Free NJ will add a fourth community hub in South Jersey and work with the hubs, partners, and members to educate the public about lead hazards and work to secure funding for holistic lead remediation.

Moonshot Missions was selected by the USEPA to serve as a “National Center for Utility Excellence ” for a five-year period.  Moonshot will work with water and wastewater utilities, especially those in lower income, environmental justice communities, to promote best operational practices and assist in identifying funding for capital infrastructure needs.

New Jersey Future will work with state and national partners to identify and engage overburdened localities and water utilities in need of assistance to access state and federal water infrastructure funding.  NJF will share tools and resources, partner training programs, and provide technical assistance.

New Jersey LCV and Waterspirit will continue to offer support to combined sewer overflow (CSO) and flood-prone communities through on-the-ground outreach and educational sessions on stormwater management tactics and funding opportunities.

New Jersey LCV Education Fund leads Flood Defense NJ, a coalition of non-profit advocates working to establish New Jersey’s first active stormwater utilities. The coalition aims to have at least two municipalities served by a stormwater utility in 2024 by providing technical support for target communities, designing educational forums to build public support, and engaging in grassroots organizing to establish local political will.

The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) commits to supporting green infrastructure design and community engagement and outreach in Perth Amboy and Newark partnering with Perth Amboy Stormwater Infrastructure Management (SWIM), Newark Doing Infrastructure Green (DIG), NY/NJ Baykeeper, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program. This will help to advance installation of green infrastructure projects, support Long Term Control Plans, manage stormwater runoff, address flooding in communities, and improve water quality in the Harbor Estuary.

The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program and the Hudson River Foundation will advance understanding and consideration of water quality in the analysis of hazard mitigation and coastal resilience projects by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). This opportunity will provide grants to support monitoring/data collection, planning, workforce training, and/or community engagement activities in climate resiliency initiatives that would address stormwater management, water quality issues, advance resiliency, and build community capacity.

The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, Rutgers University, and Princeton Hydro will advance its initiative to assess road-stream crossings for aquatic passage and climate readiness. Efforts include identifying and pursuing priorities for improvements and communicating to stakeholders through planning. A conceptual plan will be developed for a pilot site in Middlesex County along with a toolkit of restoration scenarios.

RES commits to increasing the number of wetland acres we build by 25%, increasing miles of streambank restoration by 30%, and doubling the gallons of stormwater currently managed in the state of New Jersey.

In partnership with the four municipalities served by Ridgewood Water, the utility will manage the Lead Service Line Replacement Program.  Over 2000 utility and privately owned service lines will be replaced.  Ridgewood Water will use this experience to assist the JWW Lead Service Line Implementation Workgroup develop resources for all NJ utilities to comply with the statutory goal of replacing all lead service lines.

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers (SFSR) will offer combined sewer overflow (CSO) permit review workshops in early 2023 to help overburdened community members understand and advocate for finalized 5-year permits that meet high standards, align with community values and local impact and prioritize green solutions.

With support from New Jersey American Water, Sustainable Jersey has committed to a second round of direct technical assistance to a municipality for completing its Municipal Water Story action. The completion of this action results in a holistic understanding of a town’s water infrastructure, water governance, and water resources, as well as the identification of local water issues.

The Town of Kearny recently approved a $4 million bond for water infrastructure, awarded a contract for $5,435,377 to resurface 19 blocks, inventory 919 drinking water services and replace all lead service lines.  The Mayor and Town Council approved an ordinance to replace all lead service lines and authorized the reimbursement of all “reasonable expenses” by homeowners who replace their own lead service lines.  Finally, the Town awarded a contract for $2,533,300 to rehabilitate the Harrison Avenue Wet Weather Pump Station.

ANJEC will work with strategic partners to advance improvements in water quality by educating local officials about the forthcoming NJPACT regulations on state stormwater requirements pending New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adoption of Phase 2 rule revisions.

Camden Community Partnership commits to recruiting 100 Camden residents to volunteer to adopt a drain. Residents will receive a kit with all the necessary supplies to safely and effectively clear storm drains in order to reduce localized flooding in Camden.

New Jersey Future will support Clean Water Action to conduct a series of “Upstream/Downstream” workshops and watershed tours to understand local stormwater issues in and around Trenton. 

Partners will work on their microbial source tracking partnership, which aims to track sources of fecal contamination in the Lower Passaic River basin by collecting data across Passaic River tributaries. Parameters that have been analyzed include E. coli, Enterococcus, Caffeine, and qPCR for the detection and quantification of human and non-human DNA biomarkers.

Partners will work together to develop a baseline water quality inventory for the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. This will be used by park management in the development of a sound resource stewardship strategy, and by the Urban Waters Federal Partnership to identify water monitoring needs upstream of the Dundee Dam.  

Partners will conduct an analysis of the economic benefits of having clean water in the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary. This study, estimated to be completed in 2023, will be the first of its kind in the region and could serve as a stepping-stone for further work by governmental, non-governmental, and academic researchers.

New Jersey American Water is committed to investing over $350 million to support the continued treatment and delivery of high-quality water and wastewater services to the 2.8 million people it serves. New key investments include distribution system improvements (replacing over 90 miles of pipe,) continued improvements at surface water treatment plants, treatment system upgrades, and continued deployment of leak detection technology. The company is committed to continuing to identify and replace lead/galvanized service lines, meet lead and copper regulations, and educate customers on mitigating their exposure to lead from indoor plumbing.

In collaboration with the United Way of Northern NJ and Isles, Inc., New Jersey Future will support a pilot program to eliminate lead exposure from paint and drinking water at family child care centers in Warren County, Gloucester County, and Jersey City. New Jersey Future will intercede with the affected water utilities to test the water, prioritize the replacement of any lead service lines, and provide certified filters, as required. Isles, Inc. will handle removal of any lead paint, using State resources provided through the Department of Community Affairs. New Jersey Future will publicize the effort, providing positive public relations for the water utilities and raising public awareness.

The New Jersey Urban Mayors Association will advocate for policies and funding to support eliminating lead in water and improving aging infrastructure in the state’s urban communities.

New York-New Jersey HEP and its partners will develop briefs and stories about water quality conditions of individual waterways and watersheds throughout the estuary into easily digestible, locally relevant information as a communications tool.

In partnership with the City of Paterson and various community and sustainability organizations, the Paterson Green Team will support the Adopt-a-Catch Basin Program, Education Outreach on Combined Sewer Overflows, and the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign. The Green Team will also support the Paterson Green Schoolyards Initiative and lead the Paterson Open Mic Water Stories, Earth Day, City of Water Day, and 2nd Annual Green Fair.

Ridgewood Water will continue its efforts to “reimagine” its drinking water treatment system with the installation of PFAS contaminant removal systems. The new treatment plan will consolidate the system of 31 existing plants into 12 new ones. The technology at the new plants will remove PFAS contaminants to non-detect levels and improve other water quality characteristics.

WaterWorks will foster awareness about employment opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility workforce via K-12 and higher education-level programming. In addition to developing, piloting, and implementing hands-on and virtual educational activities for students and educators about the critical role the water workforce has in their communities, the proposed project will provide linkages to employment opportunities in the water-wastewater workforce. WaterWorks is a package of tools (WaterMobile, WaterPal, WaterTalk, and Watercave) to assist educators and students. 

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program will offer the Green Infrastructure (GI) Champions training program in Jan. 2022. Over 200 GI Champions have been certified over the last three years. A group of certified GI Champions are working closely with the Rutgers Water Resources Program to pilot a Youth GI Champions Program for middle and high school students in 2022. 

The Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign will launch a community water leadership program in 2022 to create a pipeline of emerging leaders in CSO communities. This will increase participants and their organizations’ capacity to affect the implementation of the CSO Long Term Control Plans and longer-term decisions related to climate change, flooding, and infrastructure. Participants will be prepared to engage in municipal decision-making processes through roles in community-based organizations, elected local government positions, resident councils, or by appointment to planning, zoning, and water boards. 

Complete technical assistance project, with the support of New Jersey American Water, to assist Asbury Park in undertaking the Water Story Action. Sustainable Jersey will seek funding and support 50 municipalities interested in implementing actions to advance sustainable water systems and implement actions in the newly launched recognition, Gold Star in Water.

Construction of upgrades and improvements for the DDTH Pumping Station Improvements Project were financed by the New Jersey Water Bank. This project will provide water quality benefits and mitigate flooding for residents and businesses. The Harrison Avenue Stormwater Pumping Station project proposes the replacement of the two existing stormwater pumps with new submersible pumps with 75% more pumping capacity, the performance of reinforced concrete wet well modifications, and the installation of new electrical service and controls on an elevated platform located above the Flood Hazard elevation.

The US Water Alliance commits to creating a cohort of Delaware River Watershed water utilities that are committed to implementing water equity in their communities. The cohort will include Camden and Trenton, as well as Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Chester, and Wilmington. The goal is to promote water equity initiatives, such as affordability for low-income households, reduction of combined sewage flooding, elimination of lead service lines, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the water workforce. Each community will develop and implement a water equity plan for the benefit of the communities they serve.

These partners in the Flood Defense NJ coalition will work with and support municipalities looking to establish stormwater utilities as a tool for tackling stormwater challenges.

ANJEC is continuing to improve stormwater infrastructure in Phillipsburg. With one rain garden already installed at the public library, two new green infrastructure projects will improve water quality and reduce localized flooding in the heavily developed areas of Phillipsburg, including at a local church and high school.

ACUA will continue the replacement of a main sewer line that conveys wastewater collected in Longport, Margate, and Ventnor to the treatment plant in Atlantic City. The line has experienced premature erosion that is likely from grit washed in from the sandy beaches during high rainfall and storms. This second phase of construction will extend from Bader Field under the Atlantic City Expressway to ACUA’s treatment facility.

CDM Smith affirms the importance of water infrastructure to NJ’s future, and the JWW’s collaborative supporting mission. We will continue to provide, with our senior staff, technical support and resources for Committee leadership throughout 2021, assisting as co-chairs or leads of the Green Infrastructure and Education and Outreach Committees, and the Stormwater Utilities Green Incentives Subcommittee.

Launch a new “Upstream/Downstream” stormwater justice initiative that creates shared watershed awareness and remedies to upstream suburban activities that adversely impact downstream Trenton neighborhoods with flooding and sewage.

These partners commit to educating 150 families and distributing 150 water filters to mitigate lead hazards in water due to lead plumbing hazards in Camden in 2021-2022.

Replace two ductile iron pipe force mains with directional drilling with high-density polyethylene, adding grinders at five pumping stations to handle wipes that are flushed. Continued habitat improvement in our forest and savannah working with partners like New Jersey Audubon.

Establish a peer-to-peer network among water utilities to ensure that all New Jersey communities have access to resources, information, and capacity. A person’s zip code or address should not determine whether or not they have safe drinking water, sewage in their basements or at their bus stops, or clean waterways. The NJ Water Utility peer to peer network will provide peer to peer assistance for every community in New Jersey.

Ensure no one loses access to water service during and after the COVID-19 pandemic due to inability to afford their water bills. Advance long-term policy initiatives that support the affordability of safe, sufficient water and sewer service for low-income households.

NJAW will invest over $350 million in 2021. NJAW will replace over 90 miles of pipe, continue improvements at surface water treatment plants, upgrade treatment systems at groundwater stations, and deploy leak detection technology. NJAW will identify lead service lines in its system, use corrosion control and monitoring, advocate for full lead service line replacement, and constructive cost recovery approaches to support it, and educate customers on how to mitigate their exposure to lead from indoor plumbing.

NJBPU’s Division of Clean Energy is launching the New Jersey Acoustic Testing Pilot Program. This $1.5 million incentive program provides grant funding to successful applicants to purchase or rent acoustic monitoring systems that employ permanent leak monitoring technology. It primarily seeks to address water and energy losses in urban and inner suburban communities with older infrastructure that will result in benefits to overburdened communities.

New Jersey Future will advance green infrastructure practices in a newly designed, mixed-use 120-unit, private development site located in downtown Trenton, adjacent to Mill Hill Park and the Assunpink Creek. New Jersey Future will provide technical assistance to the developer and community outreach in the neighborhood to ensure that the green infrastructure features can be models for other private developers and other Trenton projects.

NJLCV is creating a new grant program for municipalities to start their own stormwater utilities to reliably fund green infrastructure projects. The program will allow municipalities to explore utility options and conduct the technical analyses or the public education needed to set a strong foundation for implementation.

HEP will publish the third edition of the Harbor-Wide Water Quality Report aimed at providing clear, easily accessible information on water quality trends and impairments of the Harbor Estuary.

These partners and other paddling organizations will revise and update HEP’s harbor-wide paddling guide. The brochure and associated website will serve to guide entry-level and potential boaters to places, organizations, and opportunities for human-powered boating while making the connection between water quality information and on-water recreation.

These partners are identifying, designing and implementing several green stormwater infrastructure projects and developing a City of Newark Green Infrastructure Toolkit and Guidance Manual. The partnership will reduce the time between concept and installation of these projects with a “green first” approach to stormwater management.

RHA will provide technical assistance to local decision-makers on climate resilience, green infrastructure, stormwater utilities, and lead and other contaminants in drinking water. RHA will continue to serve as a resource for information on drinking water quality, increase access to lead testing in underserved communities, and facilitate testing of private wells through the Well Test Program.

Implement “WaterSmart”, an intuitive self-service and water usage analytics platform that provides customers with enhanced tools regarding water conservation strategies, leak detection alerts, and expanded communication options for customers and the utility.

These partners are collaborating to develop Newark’s first Environmental Resources Inventory (ERI), a report which aims to build a baseline understanding of the relationships between environment, land use, public health, and neighborhood quality of life within Newark. The ERI report will inform decision-makers considering future development and redevelopment initiatives about the ways in which the built environment impacts our community, elevating concerns about existing and potential environmental injustices because of the cumulative burden of pollution in some areas of our city.

Publish quarterly website updates on Jersey Water Works progress.

The Town of Kearny is working with the NJDEP and NJIB to finance and construct a $7M wet weather pump station that will facilitate combined sewer system (CSS) separation efforts and reduce localized flooding. The neighborhood currently experiences significant drainage problems during and after heavy rainstorms when runoff from the largely impervious 22-acre drainage basin floods existing roadways that result in impassable conditions.

Advocate for a coordinated state effort around lead prevention, a designated official point person to manage lead prevention activities across multiple departments, the creation of memoranda of understanding that allow for more data sharing, and publicly accessible lead testing results.

Greening and cleaning the upper Cohansey River Watershed through community clean-ups, riparian buffer plantings, and green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) installation as well as partnering with the City of Bridgeton School District to educate students.

Acting through its Infrastructure Management Committee, lead a team in developing a model ordinance for lead service line replacement. This effort will fill an important informational gap in the development of such programs and thus accelerate their implementation.

Achieve better water quality in Phillipsburg, New Jersey by improving stormwater management in the Lopatcong Watershed through green infrastructure practices where stormwater has never been treated.

Replace all remaining residential lead service lines in its inventory (659 in total) by the end of 2020. Provide public outreach and education on water conservation.

Increase awareness of the hazards associated with lead in drinking water by disseminating informational brochures in its quarterly bills and creating educational videos.

Employ a comprehensive, data-driven approach to investigating lead in drinking water, including exploratory digging of curb boxes, testing of fire hydrants at or near homes with exceedances, free water sampling to all users, and ongoing educational events for residents. The city will examine interior lead plumbing as a possible source.

Maintain its own water supply; conducting regular testing of its water quality and continuing to make investments as needed to provide clean water to its residents.

Replace every lead service line in its inventory within 24 to 30 months.

Develop and share effective and replicable community-based communications and outreach models that engage the public in achieving solutions with regards to lead and advocating for adoption of local, state, and federal policies that ensure adequate funding, timely action, full disclosure, and removal of lead hazards.

Publish an op-ed about lead in drinking water and its potential solutions In NJ Spotlight or a similar forum.

Increase awareness of lead in drinking water among affected community members by distributing information and hosting a forum on the topic of water safety.

Reach out to its more than 20,000 citizen members to promote research findings on the need for full lead service line (LSL) replacement; lobby the legislature for comprehensive LSL replacement legislation; advocate to the Drinking Water Quality Institute for a truly health protective lead in drinking water standard; and advocate to the Murphy administration for regular testing and disclosure of lead in every school’s drinking water.

Continue providing substantive technical assistance to lead poisoning prevention programs, as well as advancing holistic lead hazard inspections that include lead-based paint, soil, and drinking water, focused on children with elevated blood lead levels.

Host a webinar for its members, partners, and allies about the Jersey Water Works Lead in Drinking Water Task Force’s report and including policy initiatives that support water safety and access in its advocacy efforts to secure healthy, lead-free homes and communities.

Provide technical assistance to community development organizations in communities that want to conduct comprehensive home inspections for lead in paint, water, and soil.

Publish an op-ed promoting lead in drinking water solutions.

Offer at least five “#lookfortheriver” public outreach sessions through the New Jersey Council for the Humanities Public Scholars Project. #lookfortheriver teaches residents how to adapt and prepare for a wetter, stormier future by examining historic patterns of land management through topographic maps, watershed identification, and learning about basic hydrology.

Invest $70 million in infrastructure upgrades at its Carl J. Olsen Treatment Plant in Edison, New Jersey. Upgrades will provide increased resiliency and replace sodium hypochlorite with
ozone as the primary disinfectant in the water treatment process, as well as upgrade its emergency electric generation back up system. Construction is anticipated to be completed by mid 2021.

Advance policy initiatives that support the affordability of safe, sufficient water and sewer service for low-income households. Engage with JWW and other stakeholders to develop and advocate for a shortlist of priorities for action on water affordability policy options.

Identify lead service lines in its system, advocate for full LSL replacement and constructive cost recovery approaches to support it, use corrosion control methods and water quality monitoring to continue to meet lead and copper regulations, and educate customers on how to mitigate their exposure.

Test all 4,200 state-licensed childcare centers for lead within 18 months, pending approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a $1.5 million federal Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation Act grant.

Participate in collaborative efforts to identify a more holistic approach to building inspections relating to lead exposure, one that includes lead in water.

Gather input from stakeholders on spending guidelines for the $100 million in state funds provided under the Securing Our Children’s Future bond act for water infrastructure improvements in schools.

Research the best methods to project the number of lead service lines in the absence of a complete inventory.

Partner to sponsor an event on municipal water management. Topics will include lead abatement, crisis management, communication to residents, and financial assistance tools.

Publish two reports: the third edition of the harbor-wide Water Quality Report, aimed at providing clear, easily accessible information on water quality trends and impairments of the Harbor Estuary, and an evaluation of stakeholder input regarding the possible establishment of a No Discharge Zone designation for certain water bodies.

Remove remaining utility-owned lead service lines (approximately 800 in total) by the end of its current two-year contract with a private remediation firm (i.e., by 2021).

Present a Watershed Tools for Local Leaders seminar on lead testing, treatment, and abatement, including an online “Lead Toolkit” education and outreach service to municipalities and other groups, as well as enabling residents on private well and public water to easily test their drinking water for lead.

Write op-eds concerning New Jersey’s lead in drinking water problem and potential solutions.

Provide another year of philanthropic funding in support of a lead-free New Jersey, including a grant to New Jersey Future to support the Lead in Drinking Water Task Force.

Publish an online map of the lead service lines throughout its service area in order to help improve public safety.

Post quarterly updates to its company website that highlight Jersey Water Works’ progress, including one article featuring their volunteer work with the collaborative.

In 2019, based on feedback expected to be received from the NJDEP, an AEA working group on asset management in the NJ wastewater sector intends to formulate a set of recommendations for establishing flexible and effective asset management regulations for wastewater collections and treatment systems.

The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions commits to improve water quality in the Upper Salem Watershed focus area by improving stormwater management. The project will focus on treating stormwater by applying green infrastructure practices where stormwater has never been treated to make measurable improvements in water quality.

ACUA will complete installation of new bar screens at its wastewater treatment facility — an important piece of infrastructure that plays a key role in the treatment process. The new screens will help prolong the life of ACUA’s other infrastructure by preventing grit from passing through the plant and damaging equipment along the way. The new screens will also automate procceses, such as odor neutralization, making them safer and more efficient for its employees. The $1.5 million critical infrastructure project was funded through a low-interest loan from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. Employees will no longer have to manually collect and dispose of the debris removed by the screens; the new screens are fully automated and will transport any removed items directly into a compacting dumpster. The screens also have an automated lime-feeding system to help neutralize odors – another element that will no longer have to be done by hand. Automating these tasks makes the process much safer and more efficient for our employees.

The Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority commits to being off the electric grid and being energy independent by 2020, thereby reducing its vulnerability to power outages, and correspondingly reducing the possibility of combined sewage flooding in Camden and raw sewage overflows into the Delaware River.

The Center for Natural Resources is in the final stages of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Newark which would include development of an internship program that would introduce NJIT students to the city government with the hope of producing the next generation of water leaders within the Water and Sewer Department at the City of Newark.

Students from the Albert Dorman Honors College at NJIT have been conducting measurements of water quality at various locations of the Park with the aim of mitigating algal bloom. Students are evaluating water quality of various water sources flowing into the Branch Brook Park including stormwater and well water.

The city commits to completing the project, which consists of the acquisition of a parcel of land for the installation of a 1-million-gallon underground stormwater storage tank, dewatering pump station and remote level sensing system to address frequent neighborhood flooding and reduce combined sewer overflow. The surface restoration will consist of a rain garden to address smaller storms and a plaza area with educational signage, lighting, and walking paths to provide for the beautification and enhancement of the neighborhood.

The City of Hoboken acquired a 6-acre former industrial site in 2016 to transform an asphalt-capped brownfield into the City’s largest park. To foster both social and physical resilience, the design of the park will include public space aligned with the aspirations of the community that is closely integrated with stormwater infrastructure systems to achieve flood mitigation and water quality goals.

The City commits to break ground on the Northwest Resiliency Park in 2019, in partnership with the North Hudson Sewerage Authority. The state’s largest resiliency park will manage at least one million gallons of stormwater from northwest Hoboken through an underground detention tank as a key component of the NHSA Long Term Control Plan. It will also manage approximately 750,000 gallons of stormwater from the park site and adjacent roadways through green infrastructure. It will play an important role in the mitigation of flooding from frequent storm events.

“Rally the Waterways Coalition” aims to “Find and Fix” sources of bacterial pollution from nonpoint source runoff in the Navesink River and in other regional waterways. COA’s Rally coordinates a multi-pronged strategy that includes the following: Innovative canine scent tracking for identifying human fecal pollution sources; Citizen science weekly ambient bacteria monitoring (with NJ DEP); Watershed mindfulness education to the community and schools; Evaluation of IDEXX method for in-house bacteria monitoring using EPA Equipment Loan Grant.

Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund will be monitoring the utility’s upgrades for lead, corrosion, and disinfectant controls, as well as coordinating city-wide public education and door to door community outreach.

The Green Infrastructure Reformers, coordinated by Clean Water Fund, will engage, train, and deploy Ambassadors in each of Newark’s five wards to conduct conversations about green infrastructure, gather community input for the Long-Term Control Plan by leading efforts in the Newark’s South Ward including two community meetings, advocate for the maximum feasible use of green infrastructure in the long-term control plan, and seek additional funds for City of Newark projects.

Camden SMART is committed to eliminate flooding in Camden for up to the 1-inch storm by 2020 through loans from the NJ Water Bank and through the collaborative efforts of more than 60 non-profits.

The Landis Sewerage Authority will invest $23 million in upgrades to the LSA advanced wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations, collection system and biosolids application farm with a goal of providing capacity and infrastructure out to 2040.

The Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority plans to implement an asset management program that will result in the most effective management, maintenance, and planning of the facilities equipment. This program will provide a critical assessment of the Plant’s assets and produce an efficient business process for the future development of our Capital Improvement Program.

In accordance with the evaluation performed by CDM Smith and the site inspection by Glatfelter Insurance Group, the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority is committed to a $4.6 million Flood Mitigation project that will build resiliency at the treatment plant during future storm events. Fourteen (14) areas will be targeted for “hardening” including but not limited to buildings, valves, drains, pumps, generators, and transformers.

Louis Berger will develop a short fact sheet for laypersons to explain PFAs, an emerging contaminant. The resource will describe the chemicals and their locations, the science on health impacts, the federal and state regulatory environment, and the impact on water utilities.

Louis Berger will provide engineering staff support to Jersey Water Works to assist the collaborative in establishing its measurement system for its Wise Management and Spending goal, which is focused on the implementation and funding of robust asset management programs.

The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, coLAB Arts and Rutgers Landscape Architecture Cooperative Extension will install a sculpture and interpretive signage along the Raritan River in New Brunswick’s Boyd Park to tell a story of land use in our local floodplains. The sculpture will be crafted of materials from demolition of a home destroyed by flooding during Superstorm Sandy and will incorporate historic flood height. The sculpture will be positioned looking downstream to bring the viewer’s attention to riverine areas at risk of inundation and erosion. In front of the frame will be a “picture post” monitoring station inviting the viewer/local community to take a photo of the view and to upload it to social media. This will allow us to crowd-source images that tell a story of seasonal and other changes to the river (litter, invasive plants, high water levels) and to plan restoration actions accordingly.

The MRRSA shall implement USEPA designated Best Available Technology to perform a comprehensive assessment of the Authority’s 20+ miles worth of large diameter gravity interceptors. The assessment will provide a baseline condition of the Authority’s gravity infrastructure and data to categorize, prioritize and substantiate the most efficient and effective use of Authority Capital Improvement Program funding.

The Mantua Township Municipal Utilities Authority plans to implement an expansion of its sanitary sewer system by installing new sewer mains and a new pump station, while rehabilitating an older sewer pump station. This project, with an approximate capacity of 5,000 gallons a day, will alleviate the impacts of currently failing septic systems while providing residents with the benefits of community sewer.

As part of the Water for Tomorrow initiative, Middlesex Water Company commits to constructing a large-diameter 4.5-mile water transmission pipeline from Edison Township to the Borough of Metuchen to ensure added resiliency to the water distribution network and enhance water service and reliability for current and future generations of water users. MWC is committed to completing this project with as little disruption to the surrounding area residents as possible by working with local officials and providing information and updates on their special website www.waterfortomorrowmwc.com

NACWA – in conjunction with the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation – will publish a set of new water affordability criteria recommendations and work with EPA to incorporate those recommendations into revisions of EPA’s existing guidance on determining drinking water and clean water affordability for local communities.

NRDC commits to advancing policy discussions around ensuring the affordability of safe, sufficient water and sewer service for low-income households. NRDC will engage with stakeholders to develop a short list of priorities for state and local action, building on Jersey Water Works’ water affordability white paper that identifies a range of policy options.

As the largest water services provider in the state, New Jersey American Water is committed to investing more than $300 million annually to ensure the continued treatment and delivery of high-quality water and wastewater services to the 2.7 million people it serves. Some key components of the company’s investments in 2019 will include distribution system improvements including replacement of over 90 miles of pipe per year; a major clear well expansion at one of the surface water plants to enhance system reliability and efficiency; treatment system upgrades at several groundwater stations to meet new water quality regulations on emerging contaminants; filtration and ozonation upgrades at two major surface water facilities to meet and surpass surface water quality requirements; and continued deployment of leak detection systems on both distribution and transmission mains to reduce system leakage and prevent main breaks.

New Jersey Future and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program commit to identifying options to manage stormwater and prevent flooding using green infrastructure around New Jersey Future’s office in downtown Trenton. Rutgers will create a design plan with green infrastructure options, including permeable pavement, stormwater tree trenches, and downspout planters. New Jersey Future will gather design advice for a green roof option and propose a funding strategy.

The Water Bank will provide technical assistance to a green infrastructure project going through the financing application process and cover the experience through a series of blog posts, highlighting the major milestones, stumbling blocks, and through this all, offering future prospective applicants a case study.

New Jersey Sustainable Business Council is committed to educating businesses about how healthy watersheds and water systems support a vibrant, sustainable economy. NJ SBC will conduct at least one educational webinar for business leaders in which it makes the business case for advancing a combination of specific market innovations and policy changes. This will be a key step in recruiting and organizing businesses in developing a larger policy voice in Trenton on behalf of water protection and investment legislation and policy.

The New Jersey Urban Mayors Association will partner to sponsor a training workshop pertinent to new rulemakings and/or legislation relevant to water infrastructure, including stormwater utilities, asset management rules, etc. The event will cover best practices and challenges faced by local governments, both in terms of available financing and compliance with the new laws or regulations and how to get rate payer support, if applicable.

The NJ Water Supply Authority will develop and implement a cyanotoxin management plan in our Manasquan Water Supply System. This project involves an intense source water monitoring and management program, selecting treatment process options best suited to manage any potential cyanotoxin issues, and a strong public education and outreach program.

The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program commits to expanding the “Stopping Trash Where It Starts” project and implementing pollution prevention strategies in the Passaic River and Hackensack River watersheds in an effort to reduce marine debris from entering the estuary.

North Jersey RC&D will increase implementation of agricultural best management practices in the Lower-Middle Musconetcong and Lopatcong watersheds in the New Jersey Highlands. The project will engage farmers in the region through a free soil/manure testing initiative that includes farm assessment and farmer education, a free cover crop and nutrient management consulting service, as well as providing funding to leverage conservation practice implementation.

Additionally, nine organizations committed to posting the Jersey Water Works “member of” logo on their website, volunteering for a stream clean-up, green infrastructure workshop or related activity, or featuring Jersey Water Works and its work in their newsletter.

SMRSA’s intent is to develop a Condition Assessment Plan that would strategically and systematically evaluate the force mains/outfall pipe and ultimately support an asset management plan that would include maintenance and replacement and/or upgrade strategies. The Force Main/Outfall Pipe Condition Assessment Plan is intended to be a document that SMRSA will use moving forward to evaluate the condition of its force main/outfall pipes and provide for as a guide to future Condition Assessments (phase II) and any necessary repairs and/or upgrades (phase III).

Sustainable Jersey pledges to train and provide technical assistance to local communities to improve water – supply, quality, and access as well as address stormwater issues and implement green infrastructure among the 450 participating municipalities.

T&M pledges to promote awareness and appreciation of water to the public and to students. This will be achieved through participation in organizations that support the cause, social media campaigns and other outlets. We are committed to our youth and educating students about the importance of a career in water resources engineering. T&M will organize interactive classroom presentations and field trips in which our team will provide students with insight into the water industry.

In 2019, TNC of NJ will plant and maintain green infrastructure, including at least 10 acres of deforested floodplain and over 100 acres of floodplain previously planted. TNC-NJ commits to continue its efforts to restore degraded riparian buffers and stabilize eroding streambanks throughout the Paulinskill watershed. With help from partners and volunteers, its efforts will improve floodplain function, reconnect riparian habitat, and improve water quality.

Together North Jersey plans to partner with the Jersey Water Works Green Infrastructure Committee to host a conference on green infrastructure and transportation which will promote the benefits of green streets.

EPA Region 2 remains fully committed to working with the state of New Jersey and other partners during 2019 to protect, improve and enhance water quality while looking for ways to address the financial burden on impacted communities. We will support the state of New Jersey in exploring ways to apply new EPA policies that provide the states with more opportunities to fully utilize the benefits of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, such as extended-term financing for CSO projects. These new policies could allow New Jersey to potentially provide grants, principal forgiveness, and other flexibilities to more qualifying impacted communities. During 2019, EPA Region 2 will work with New Jersey to develop and implement new financial options, as well as work with New Jersey and EPA’s Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program for the potential use of WIFIA financing in New Jersey.

The Utility and Transportation Contractors Association will publish a custom report which will include a state-level economic impact analysis, using a business standard economic model and customized modeling techniques to analyze the total impacts of a $1 billion annual increase in water supply, wastewater, and storm water construction investment on the state of New Jersey.

Waterfront Alliance, with partners in NJ and NY, will build the resilience of water infrastructure, among other things, to future storms and sea level rise by developing a comprehensive action agenda. The action agenda will form the basis of a bi-state campaign for regional resilience. As part of its resiliency focus, Waterfront Alliance is also expanding the services of its Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines program in NJ through a new partnership with Cooper’s Ferry Partnership.

The Watershed Institute will establish a new statewide coalition of volunteer water monitoring groups to provide technical assistance to and build capacity for expanded monitoring efforts. This water quality data will help identify areas impacted by polluted runoff and flooding to help determine where more green infrastructure and other stormwater mitigation efforts are needed.

The Whitman Strategy Group is committed to posting quarterly updates to its company website that highlight the progress being made by Jersey Water Works including one article featuring Whitman Strategy Group’s volunteer work with the collaborative.

These organizations are partnering to release a “Year One Clean Water Agenda” for the Murphy administration. They also commit to assisting the incoming administration with water infrastructure challenges and solutions.

Through workshops, seminars, webinars, and a new resource paper, ANJEC will educate environmental commissions and municipalities throughout the state on the benefits of and best practices for green infrastructure, stream daylighting, and stormwater management.

To prevent flooding, equipment damage and shutdowns of one of Atlantic County’s most critical pieces of infrastructure, ACUA is committed to constructing a seawall made of vinyl sheet pile around its wastewater treatment facility. The wall will measure 4,896 feet long and vary in height from one to five feet.

The CCMUA’s biogas project and sustainability loop project will reduce its risk of being taken offline by natural disasters. Through the sustainability loop project, CCMUA will swap one million gallons a day of effluent for energy produced by a nearby power plant, whose primary fuel source is trash. This project will reduce water withdrawals from a critical water supply aquifer by nearly 400 million gallons per year while furthering CCMUA’s goal of operating 100 percent on renewable energy by 2019.

Jersey City will be completing several documents and studies related to green infrastructure, including a resident guide to green infrastructure and resilient design, an analysis of sites identified for green infrastructure projects, green infrastructure projects that take into account potential contamination issues, and tree planting standards for street trees in the city.

With its partners, Clean Ocean Action will restore the health of downgraded areas of the Navesink River by 1) finding the sources of bacterial pollution through a 52-week citizen science bacteria source track-down, 2) fixing the sources, and 3) breaking the cycle of pollution by promoting “watershed mindfulness” – community-wide understanding that we are connected to and responsible for the local water quality.

With the Camden SMART Initiative, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership commits to distributing and installing 200 rain barrels that will divert approximately 1.7 million gallons of stormwater annually from the City of Camden’s aging and overtaxed combined sewer system.

Under the direction of Dr. Van Abs, a Rutgers student researcher will compile water rate information for a random sample of small and medium public water supply systems in New Jersey and compare the household rates to system characteristics including ownership, system capacity, water source, service area type, and age of the service area’s water infrastructure. The purpose of the project is to determine the extent to which these factors correlate with costs of service.

Governors Florio and Whitman commit to publishing a co-authored op-ed spotlighting details of the water infrastructure crisis in New Jersey while identifying solutions and elevating the efforts of Jersey Water Works.

Louis Berger will provide engineering staff support to Jersey Water Works to assist the collaborative in establishing its measurement system for its Wise Management and Spending goal, which is focused on the implementation and funding of robust asset management programs.

The DEP commits to creating a voluntary, free-to-use mobile app to allow municipalities and their partners to inventory and map stormwater management infrastructure. The DEP further commits to provide up to 50 ArcGIS Online licenses to municipalities, free of charge, for the next two years, to enable municipalities to use the app.

As a member of Trenton’s municipal action team for green infrastructure, New Jersey Future and Isles will help coordinate media coverage and community engagement for the installation and ribbon cutting for an upcoming green infrastructure project in Trenton.

Additionally, three organizations committed to posting the Jersey Water Works “member of” logo on their website, three organizations will volunteer for a stream clean-up, green infrastructure workshop or related activity, two organizations will feature Jersey Water Works and its work in their newsletter and one organization will publish a new resource in partnership with Jersey Water Works.

The Stevens Institute of Technology will add its first intensive green roof and its third rain garden to its green infrastructure inventory. These new systems complement a variety of existing stormwater management infrastructure including two rain gardens, four bioretention planters, and 40 pilot scale extensive green roofs.

The new Gold Star Standard in Water will build on the green infrastructure actions developed by Jersey Water Works and provide a roadmap for municipalities to reach Sustainable Jersey’s goals of sustainable water infrastructure. Once complete, Sustainable Jersey will support progress among its 450 participating municipalities.

EPA Region 2 is fully committed to working with the state of New Jersey and other partners to protect, improve and enhance water quality throughout New Jersey and the region. EPA is actively engaged in seeking ways to help address the financial and infrastructure challenges of impacted communities and will support the state of New Jersey in exploring ways to fully utilize the benefits of the drinking water and clean water State Revolving Fund programs.

The Whitman Strategy Group is committed to posting quarterly updates to its company website that highlight the progress being made by Jersey Water Works including one article featuring Whitman Strategy Group’s volunteer work with the collaborative.

Through its “Water for Tomorrow” program, Middlesex Water Company will invest $160 million in water infrastructure in 2017 and 2018 to enhance safety, reliability, and resiliency. Projects will include construction of a critical transmission main for backup water supply; new ozonation treatment to meet water quality requirements; several large tanks for additional storage; additional electric standby generation; and relocation of meters to exterior pits for greater customer convenience and safety.

AEA this year is piloting a professional development academy to build human capital and leadership in public water/wastewater/solid waste agencies. In addition, AEA will promote asset management and prudent financial planning at its fall conference with seven presentations by industry professionals and regulators. AEA is also furthering asset management with a workshop in early 2017 on “forgotten assets.”

AEA-NJ and Sustainable Jersey are partnering to host a workshop for AEA-NJ members in late January or early February 2017 to review the new water infrastructure actions in the Sustainable Jersey certification program, including water loss audit, asset management and green infrastructure planning and installation. Speakers will provide step-by-step best practice guidance and will discuss how to engage local governments as partners and the role of wastewater utilities in using green infrastructure in stormwater management.

Through workshops, seminars, and webinars, ANJEC will educate environmental commissions on stream daylighting and the resulting impacts on stormwater runoff, flash flooding, and the environment. ANJEC will help one or two communities to advance stream daylighting projects by assisting with mapping, enlisting project partners, and developing plans for community education and visioning.

In 2017, the ACUA will continue research, study, and negotiations with some of Atlantic County’s larger water users, along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in an effort to realize and promote a wastewater reuse program. This project will reduce the use of potable water for irrigation by using treated wastewater instead that would otherwise be lost to the ocean as effluent. ACUA will publish a blog post at the end of the year on JerseyWaterWorks.org to report on its work.

The Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority will complete the design and financing of a $50 million component of its long term CSO control plan to eliminate flooding problems along the Camden waterfront. The project includes a green infrastructure program, a new stormwater pumping station and upgrades to the existing combined sewer system and the wastewater treatment plant.

The center will work with the City of Newark and funding agencies to install a green infrastructure project on the NJIT campus, which will serve to train students and will aid in communicating Newark’s stormwater challenges with the larger community. NRDP personnel are using the latest software to design and evaluate the long-term behavior of GI.

The City of Hoboken will host Jersey Water Works members on a bicycle tour of the city, highlighting green infrastructure installations and unique partnerships developed to reduce combined sewer overflows.

The City of Hoboken will develop its first Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for intermediate and longer-term investments in its water distribution system. The CIP will provide a rational planning approach that optimizes the funding required to maintain its drinking-water assets in a state of good repair. The City will evaluate and recommend options for managing Hoboken’s water infrastructure and develop a sustainable financial implementation strategy.

Jersey City and its Office of Innovation have designated 2017 as “A Year of Water.” The Office of Innovation will work with stakeholders to align priorities, promote partnerships, and encourage best practices to support water stewardship.

Clean Ocean Action will expand its work on modeling microbial source tracking of the Navesink River watershed using scent-trained canines to detect the presence of human fecal contamination in the Navesink and other impaired waterbodies in New Jersey.

Clean Water Action will work with the City of Newark to install green infrastructure projects on municipal land. It will also create community action teams in Newark’s South Ward to implement large-scale green infrastructure practices to prevent stormwater runoff from entering the combined sewer system.

Camden SMART Partners have committed to enhancing the collaborative’s community engagement platforms through the development of Camden Reports, a web-based app that allows residents to report instances of flooding to Camden SMART Partners in real time via their mobile devices or computers. Residents are encouraged to provide a description and upload photographs of the flooding incident, which are sent directly to Camden SMART Partners and to American Water, the city’s water utility company, which then identifies a best solution.

Dr. Van Abs will oversee completion of a report comparing state regulatory programs regarding the long-term maintenance of wastewater utility infrastructure, especially sewage collection systems, to ensure utility reliability and resilience. For municipalities in Middlesex County, Dr. Van Abs will oversee an evaluation of master plans and plan elements that address environmental quality and natural resource protection, including water supply and wastewater utility issues.

Jersey Water Works co-chairs Mark Mauriello and Jane Kenny will submit an op-ed to news outlets highlighting the work of Jersey Water Works and its members.

The Environmental Finance Center will offer New Jersey communities technical assistance related to the management of water infrastructure.

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation will convene a water infrastructure funders affinity group to foster learning, coordination, and network-building among philanthropic funders with a shared interest in water infrastructure in New Jersey.

Louis Berger will provide engineering staff support to Jersey Water Works in 2017 to assist in establishing its measurement system for its Wise Management and Spending goal, which is focused on the implementation and funding of asset management programs.

NY/NJ HEP will assess and communicate how managing pollutants from combined sewer overflows and stormwater discharges will improve recreational experiences, habitat, and community. Specific projects will include advancing the use of green infrastructure, modeling improvements of water quality resulting from Long Term Control Plans, engaging local civic organizations in harbor stewardship, and publicizing results.

NY/NJ Baykeeper volunteers will spend 250 hours cleaning up local shorelines, rivers and creeks in the New York-New Jersey harbor estuary.

NY/NJ Baykeeper will add 100,000 new oysters to New York and New Jersey harbor waters to improve water quality and shoreline resiliency.

NACWA will raise the visibility in Congress of the clean-water affordability challenges facing low-income households in New Jersey and across the country.

NACWA will release a compendium to showcase municipal clean water utilities that are addressing environmental justice concerns in their communities. It will include a case study from the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority and can serve as a resource for other New Jersey utilities.

NJDEP will develop green infrastructure guidance to assist permittees in meeting their combined sewer overflow (CSO) permit obligations to effectively evaluate green infrastructure (GI) as part of the development of a long-term control plan (LTCP). The detailed technical guidance document will include such topics as: how to identify priority areas for the use of GI and how to calculate cost vs. performance, including supplemental benefits of GI. DEP will work closely with the permittees by conducting at least two stakeholder meetings to ensure the guidance is understandable and meets their needs.

The New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust will issue all future environmental infrastructure bonds as “green bonds” to promote the development of the market for GI bonds within the state and to amplify its commitment to financing water quality infrastructure projects that enhance water resources, protect public health, and ensure the safety of drinking water supplies. NJEIT will position its portfolio more effectively to investors interested in supporting New Jersey community investments in water infrastructure and clean water.

New Jersey Future will partner with the Rutgers Water Resources Program to develop a concept plan and budget for green infrastructure on its building, an adjacent alley, and its block in downtown Trenton, and will work to engage its neighbors and the City of Trenton in implementing appropriate pieces of the plan.

NJUA will submit an op-ed to news outlets making the case for investment in water infrastructure.

Additionally, seven organizations committed to posting the Jersey Water Works “member of” logo on their website, four organizations volunteered for a stream clean-up, green infrastructure workshop or related activity, four organizations will feature Jersey Water Works and its work in their newsletter and three organizations will publish a new resource in partnership with Jersey Water Works.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program and the New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute will conduct a research project to understand more clearly the economic issues associated with stormwater utilities. The goal of this project is to determine whether, if some of the stormwater utility models from other states were applied in New Jersey, the utilities could serve as an economic driver to create jobs in the public and private sector.

Following Stevens’ second-place award in the national 2015 USEPA Campus RainWorks Challenge, for which it developed a Green Infrastructure Master Plan for the campus, Stevens Institute of Technology will install experimental green roofs and bioretention planters on a new building, in an effort to drive innovation in design specifications, as well as a new rain garden.

Sustainable Jersey will launch four new actions, drafted by the Jersey Water Works Best Practices and Green Infrastructure committees, in their municipal certification program to promote water infrastructure best practices to local governments and their civic leaders. Municipalities will be able to receive points for conducting a water loss audit, creating, and implementing an asset management program, developing a green infrastructure plan and installing green infrastructure practices in their municipalities.

Thomas Edison State University will assist the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association in the formation of its Water Infrastructure Committee to provide policy analysis, technical assistance, and resource identification. The committee will support Jersey Water Works in its objective to improve the water infrastructure systems in urban communities. The primary goal of NJUMA’s Water Infrastructure Committee will be to raise awareness around combined sewer overflows and identify funding sources as well as best practices in the planning and management of all urban communities’ aging water infrastructure.

The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey will work with the organization’s national impact investing group to develop a financing facility that could support community-based public-private partnerships in New Jersey and around the country to scale up and fast-track the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure.

The Wei will work to form an organic food coalition to advocate for public funding and private donations for the development of affordable water infrastructure and to develop a toolkit growers can use for negotiating immediate access to water from the municipalities where they are located.

EPA Region 2 remains fully committed to working with the state of New Jersey and other partners during 2017 to protect, improve and enhance water quality in the NJ/NY harbor while looking for ways to address the financial burden on impacted communities. We will support the state of New Jersey in exploring ways to apply a new EPA policy that provides the states with more opportunities to fully utilize the benefits of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. With this new policy, New Jersey can potentially provide more grants, principal forgiveness, and other flexibilities to qualifying impacted communities. This will help supplement existing SRF tools including zero percent interest rate loans already offered by the state.