Join Us for JWW’s 2021 Annual Conference

12:30 PM Pre-conference Networking 
1:00 PM Conference Kick-Off: Welcome and Greetings
In the face of urgent water problems like post-Ida flooding and water contamination, the Jersey Water Works collaborative is the catalyst for effective problem solving to ensure our water systems are strong and support healthy communities. This year, JWW co-chairs challenge members to recommit as the collaborative pivots increasingly to on-the-ground implementation —replacing lead pipes statewide, fixing combined sewer systems, and hopefully deploying new state and federal funding. How can we work together to do more, better, and faster in service of every resident?
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Andy Kricun, Jersey Water Works Co-Chair</li>
<li aria-level="1">Nicole Miller, Jersey Water Works Co-Chair</li>
<li aria-level="1">Mark McDonough, Senior Vice President of American Water and President of New Jersey American Water</li>
</ul>
1:20 PM NJDEP Commissioner Address
Commissioner Shawn LaTourette will share how the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is working in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure clean water for all, reduce climate risks, and advance the Department’s goals toward environmental justice.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Shawn LaTourette, Commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection</li>
</ul>
1:40 PM Keynote Address
Colette Pichon Battle is an accomplished advocate at the forefront of water equity conversations. Colette will bring her deep knowledge of climate justice, equitable disaster recovery, and community economic development. She joins New Jersey in the midst of water disaster, flooding, and climate change. Her on-the-ground experience in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and her involvement in national and international solutions is sure to inspire and challenge conference participants.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Colette Pichon Battle, Executive Director of Gulf Coast Center for Law &amp; Policy</li>
</ul>
2:15 PM Accelerating Water Infrastructure Projects: Progress, Commitments, and Call to Action
Each Jersey Water Works member drives the work and advances an important piece of the water infrastructure solution. They come together to connect the dots in an organized effort and capitalize on each other’s strengths. Learn more about how they are making progress on shared goals, members’ commitments in 2022, and how you can take action.  
<ul>
<li>Rich Calbi, Ridgewood Water</li>
<li>Shoshanna Page, City of Newark</li>
</ul>
2:30 PM Break
3:00 PM Plenary panel: When significant funding is finally available for capital investments in water, will it be accessible to all? 
New government mandates and escalating climate threats require communities to make generational investments in water systems. But, those who lack access to credit—or the capacity to write complicated project plans and loan applications—risk not being able to tap into funding streams. Centering water equity, this plenary will explore several opportunities to ensure access for all, especially in under-resourced communities.
<ul>
<li>Dan Kennedy, Utility &amp; Transportation Contractors Association of NJ (moderator)</li>
<li>Kareem Adeem, City of Newark</li>
<li>Katy Hansen, Environmental Policy Innovation Center</li>
<li>Zach McCue, Office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker</li>
<li>Nicole Miller, MnM Consulting</li>
</ul>
This session is approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for 1.5 CM credits.
4:30 PM Adjournment

Wednesday, Dec. 8

5:30 PM Pre-Workshop Networking
6:00 PM Workshop: Seizing the Moment: The Role of Community and Water Stewards
This workshop aims to build connection, alignment, and capacity to advance the transformation of New Jersey&#8217;s water infrastructure. The panelists are talented, placed-based leaders from local communities and the water utility sector. This conversation builds upon the Jersey Water Works model of collective impact, according to which collaboration and cultivating relationships are key to addressing water issues and exploring solutions. 
<ul>
<li>Marcus Sibley, MSW, New Jersey State Conference NAACP, National Wildlife Federation (moderator)</li>
<li>Martha Arencibia, Paterson Green Team Co-chair</li>
<li>Rina N. Dalal, CDM Smith</li>
<li>Joel Rosa, City of Perth Amboy</li>
<li>Marianna Schaffer, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation</li>
</ul>
This session is approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for 1.25 CM credits.
7:15 PM Adjournment

Thursday, Dec. 9

9:00 AM Workshop: Why Affordability Matters: Understanding Water and Sewer Burdens and Tailoring Solutions
How does water affordability stress affect utility operations, capital investments, and—most importantly—households? This workshop will showcase new findings on the location and extent of “affordability stress” caused by drinking water and sewer rates. Panelists will discuss potential solutions, including timely updates on proposed state legislation, federal initiatives, and ways to target New Jersey Water Bank assistance. Understanding and eliminating affordability stress helps to ensure that water infrastructure upgrades can be moved forward—for everyone.
<ul>
<li>Renee Koubiadis, New Jersey Citizen Action (moderator)</li>
<li>Kristin Epstein, City of Trenton</li>
<li>Larry Levine, Natural Resources Defense Council</li>
<li>Dan Van Abs, Rutgers University</li>
</ul>
This session is approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for 1.5 CM credits.
10:30 AM Break
11:00 AM Workshop: Resilient Water Systems in the Face of a Changing Climate
New Jersey’s water infrastructure systems are in the cross-hairs of climate change. While these systems must be protected from the impacts of climate change themselves, they are also key to safeguarding communities from flooding, sea level rise, and more. Using a vulnerable municipality as a case study and hearing from leaders at utilities that have undertaken various resilience measures, the experts on this panel will explore the many ways that drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems can adapt to climate change and manage flooding.
<ul>
<li>Jennifer Brunton, Chair for Water/Wastewater Committee at ACEC (moderator)</li>
<li>Jim Cosgrove, Kleinfelder</li>
<li>Hector Herrera, Bound Brook</li>
<li>Alua Suleimenova, WSP USA</li>
<li>Project spotlights: Rick Dovey, Atlantic County Utilities Authority; Oleg Kostin, New Jersey American Water; Scott Schreiber, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority</li>
</ul>
This session is approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for 1.5 CM credits.
12:30 PM Break
1:00 PM Workshop: Putting Lead Service Lines in New Jersey’s Rearview Mirror
A new law requires New Jersey water systems to replace lead service lines within 10 to 15 years. Can this urgent and massive undertaking be achieved on time and under budget? Panelists at this session will grapple with challenges and solutions on funding and implementation, as well as ways for utility managers to share best practices. While the work gets underway, attendees will also be invited to explore the role we each must play to continue to educate vulnerable residents on how to remain safe and informed about lead in drinking water.
<ul>
<li>Tiffany Stewart, Department of Water and Sewer Utilities, City of Newark; Co-Chair of JWW Lead in Drinking Water Task Force (moderator)</li>
<li>Mike Furrey, Agra Environmental and Laboratory Services</li>
<li>Patricia Ingelido, Division of Water Supply and Geoscience, DEP</li>
<li>Don Shields, NJ American Water</li>
<li>Shereyl Snider, East Trenton Collaborative, LFNJ Community Hub</li>
</ul>
This session is approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for 1 CM credit.
2:30 PM Adjournment

Friday, Dec. 10

Our seventh annual conference will be virtual and held over three days, Dec. 8-10.

Call to Action for Jersey Water Works Members

JWW Conference Agenda 2021

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JWW Member Commitments 2022

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JWW Accomplishments JWW Conference 2021

JWW Accomplishments 2021

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Workshop_ Seizing the Moment_ The Role of Community and Water Stewards _ Resources

JWW Conference Workshop Resources for Community and Water Stewards

Jersey Waterworks Conference 2018 at the NJ Performing Arts Center in Newark on December 7, 2018. Keith Muccilli Photography, LLC

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Dates and times: Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 8-10. Session times vary. See the <a href="/events/annual-conference/2021/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agenda</a> for more details.
Use #njwater21 to follow and spread conference news on social media!
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Water Infrastructure for Every Community: Seizing a Once-in-a-generation Opportunity

Prior to the Conference

During the Conference

<a class="inline-flex items-center pl-4 pr-6 mb-4 bg-brand-blue text-xl font-medium text-white" href="https://cms.jerseywaterworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NEW-2021-JWW-conference-sponsorship-package.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download the Sponsor Application Packet<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="/images/right-arrow-white.svg" alt="Right arrow" width="50" height="50" /></a> 
QUESTIONS: 
Contact Michele Glassburg, <a href="mailto:mglassburg@njfuture.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mglassburg@njfuture.org</a> or 609-393-0008, x107.

WHAT&#8217;S IN IT FOR YOU? 
A great way to develop new relationships and gain exposure with potential and current collaborators, partners, and clients. Sponsorship levels vary and, depending on the level, can include a virtual exhibit, Jersey Water Works and Conference website listings, linked logo on conference emails, a short video, and social media recognition.
WHO ATTENDS? 
The perfect mix of the private and public sectors: mayors and CEOs, township managers and corporate program directors, COOs and public finance managers, and engineers from towns and top regional firms, along with planners, contractors, environmental service providers, and community advocates—all of whom are influencers or decision-makers for how and with whom 
infrastructure projects will proceed.
WHAT TO EXPECT: 
This year’s virtual conference will feature discussions on priority issues, panels on local and regional water infrastructure challenges and opportunities, and breakout sessions, allowing for more in-depth analysis and conversation.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

A Special Thanks to our Sponsors

Welcome  – 2021 Jersey Water Work Conference

NJDEP Commissioner Address  – 2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

Keynote: Colette Pichon Battle –  2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

JWW Call to Action for 2022 – 2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

When significant funding is available, will it be accessible to all? – 2021 JWW Conference

Seizing the Moment: The Role of Community and Water Stewards – 2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

Resilient Water Systems in the Face of a Changing Climate – 2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

Why Affordability Matters – 2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

Putting Lead Service Lines in New Jersey’s Rearview Mirror – 2021 Jersey Water Works Conference

2021 Annual Conference

Jersey Water Works

Green Infrastructure Champion Program

2025 Utility Management Conference & Recognition Awards

Stormwater Utilities Subcommittee Meeting

2025 New Jersey Sustainability Summit

Debt Isn’t A Bad Word: Utilizing The Water Bank State Revolving Fund for Long-Term Infrastructure Investments webinar

Eighth Annual NJ Watershed Conference

Lessons Learned After Two Years of Accelerating Lead Service Line Replacement in New Jersey Communities

Hackensack River Nation Council meeting

Green Infrastructure and Combined Sewer Overflow Committees – Joint Meeting

Webinar: Imagine a Day Without the Water Workforce: Strengthening the Water Sector Pipeline through Entry-Level Opportunities

2024 Jersey Water Works Annual Conference

2024 Annual Membership Meeting

Safe Drinking Water Cybersecurity Grant Program – Informational Webinar

World Water Day 2024

2024 Utility Management Conference

Using the Enhanced Stormwater Control Ordinance Action to Meet New DEP Requirements

Seventh Annual Watershed Conference

2023 Jersey Water Works Annual Conference

2023 NY-NJ HEP State of the Estuary Conference

2023 New Jersey League of Municipalities

How Hackensack is Working to Reduce Flooding and Combined Sewer Overflow

ANJEC 50th Annual Environmental Congress (Virtual)

ANJEC 50th Annual Environmental Congress (In-Person)

Digital Accessibility and Inclusive Communications: Guidelines for the Water Movement

ABOUT US

December 8-10, 2021