December 13, 2024
Join us at The College of New Jersey on December 13.
8:00 a.m. Door Opens, Networking Registration, Exhibitor’s Table
GENERAL CONFERENCE (TENTATIVE AGENDA)
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Welcome and Keynote Address
Welcome and Kickoff: The Power of the Collaborative
Join us for a dynamic welcome session focused on the importance of collaboration for sustainable water management. Deandrah Cameron from New Jersey Future will kick off the discussion, followed by Saraly Gonzalez from Camden, who will address the connection between our rivers, water resources, and youth involvement. Andy Kricun, co-chair of the JWW Steering Committee, will reflect on ten years of collaboration before we hear from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, who will share insights into the state’s vision for water sustainability.
- Deandrah Cameron, New Jersey Future / Jersey Water Works (JWW)
- Saraly Gonzalez, UrbanPromise USA
- Andy Kricun, Moonshot Missions and JWW Steering Committee Co-Chair
Keynote Address
- Shawn M. LaTourette, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions 1
Advancing Public Health: Lessons Learned From Two Years of Accelerating Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) in New Jersey Communities
Drinking water systems, governments, and stakeholders face numerous obstacles in complying with the legislation in their efforts to accelerate Lead Service Line Replacement. Overcoming these challenges requires clear standards and communication, sustainable financing models, and education of property owners about the benefits of LSL replacement. Join us for an informative session on lessons learned from two years of on-the-ground accelerating LSLR initiatives.
- Debbie Mans, TWENTYTWENTY Public Affairs Partner, Lead-Free Steering Committee Co-Chair, Glen Ridge Borough Mayor (moderator)
- Deandrah Cameron, New Jersey Future
- Yolanda Tucci McCollom, PE, Ridgewood Water
- Jyoti Venketraman, New Jersey Future, Jersey WaterCheck Data Dashboard
Unlocking the Potential of Stormwater Utilities: Perspectives and Progress in New Jersey
Explore the latest developments, opportunities, and challenges in implementing stormwater utilities in New Jersey. Gain valuable insights from municipalities such as Princeton, Newark, and Maplewood, which have conducted feasibility studies. Learn about the process from experts from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), who lead the way in NJ stormwater utility grants.
- Nathan Walker, AICP, Senior Water Resources Planner, Gannett Fleming Transystems (moderator)
- Kareem Adeem, Director, Newark Water & Sewer Utilities
- Victor DeLuca, Committeeperson, Maplewood Township
- Timothy Ebersberger, Environmental Engineer, NJDEP Stormwater Permitting and Water Quality Management
Advancing Green Infrastructure: Navigating NJ PACT REAL Updates
Join us for an in-depth overview of the latest updates to the NJ PACT REAL program and an exploration of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Rules. This session will provide valuable insights for professionals involved in green infrastructure and stormwater management.
- Chris Sotiro, New Jersey Future and JWW Green Infrastructure backbone staff (moderator)
- Anushi Garg, Environmental Defense Fund
- Anthony Robalik, NJDEP
- Jim Waltman, The Watershed Institute
Towards a One Water Future: Effective Combined Sewer Overflow Solutions with Active Community Involvement
Stay informed with the latest updates from the North Hudson Sewerage Authority and Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority as they work to advance on their Long Term Control Plans to manage Combined Sewer Overflows. Discover their enhanced public participation and engagement practices designed to involve the community and foster collaboration. You’ll learn strategies to facilitate teamwork between permittees and the public, ensuring community voices are integrated into decision-making processes. This session is ideal for municipal officials, environmental advocates, and individuals who want to strengthen connections and collaborate on water infrastructure solutions.
- Michele Langa, NY/NJ Baykeeper and Hackensack Riverkeeper (moderator)
- Lu Bivona, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA)
- Timothy Feeney, CCMUA
- Andrea Jovie Sapal, Jersey Water Works and Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers
- Scott Schreiber, CCMUA
- Omar Vicioso, North Hudson Sewerage Authority
Securing Water Infrastructure Funding: Expert Office Open Hour
Meet with NJDEP and IBank representatives in a personalized setting to explore funding opportunities for water infrastructure projects. This session will provide valuable one-on-one interactions and registration sign-up for individual consultations.
Representatives will be available for one-on-one office hours for individual 15-minute conversations. Sign up during registration the day of the event. Limited space available.
- Ryon Bassi, Environmental Specialist Trainee, NJDEP
- Brandon Carreno, Environmental Specialist, NJDEP
- Lee Clark, MABC, Program Manager, Funding Navigator Program, New Jersey Future
- Tess Clark, Assistant Director of Water Resilience, Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions / Environmental Finance Center
- John Notte, Project Manager, Water, NJ Infrastructure Bank
- Christina Petagna, Mid-Atlantic Funding Navigator Manager, Environmental Policy Innovation Center
- Filina Poonolly, Environmental Engineer, NJDEP
11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions 2
Get the Lead Out: Updates to Lead in Drinking Water: LCRI and NJ LSLR Implementation
This session will delve into critical updates surrounding EPA’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requirements, examples of effective service line communication strategies, and recommendations for effective partnerships between utilities and community organizations.
- Rashan Prailow, The Think Group and Lead-Free New Jersey Steering Committee Co-Chair (moderator)
- Kristin Epstein, PE, CDM Smith
- Bryan Frierson, Passaic Valley Water Commission
- Chelsea Kulp, New Jersey American Water
- Shanikwa Lemon, Paterson Alliance
Tackling PFAS Pollution: State Policy Updates and Advocacy Examples
Join us for a session featuring updates from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on New Jersey’s multimedia PFAS action and policy plans. Clean Water Action will also share insights on educating policymakers and the public about the risks of PFAS chemicals, their uses, potential solutions, and the importance of holding polluters accountable. Additionally, we’ll explore relevant developments in other states that can provide valuable lessons for New Jersey.
- Kati Angarone, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Amy Goldsmith, New Jersey Clean Water Action
- Alesha Vega, New Jersey Future
Strategic Vision for Water Infrastructure: Shaping the Water Agenda with New Political Leaders
Join us for a discussion on advancing water infrastructure policy and fostering collaborative efforts amid changing national and state administrations. With new leadership comes shifting policy goals and priorities- how can we ensure that the critical needs of water systems continue to be met? Together, we’ll explore strategies to influence incoming state and federal administrations on water policy priorities that align with JWW’s shared goals and examine the role of collaborative networks in sustaining effective advocacy during transitions in government leadership.
- Diane Schrauth, New Jersey Future (moderator)
- Larry Levine, Natural Resources Defense Council
- Ryan Sharpe, Utility & Transportation Contractors Association
- Shereyl Snider, East Trenton Collaborative
Enhancing Climate Resilience through Municipal Watershed Improvement Plans
This session will focus on integrating climate resilience into municipal watershed improvement plans. With the recent allocation of $72 million from NOAA for a Regional Climate Resilience Project in New Jersey, there is an increased urgency to address climate-related challenges. The session will explore the incorporation of climate resilience strategies into existing watershed improvement plans, emphasizing the retrofitting of past developments with stormwater management systems and implementing urban heat island mitigation measures such as tree planting and reducing paved surfaces. Attendees will gain insights into how municipalities can leverage their MS4 permit requirements to drive climate-resilient initiatives and start implementing projects that enhance overall climate resilience.
- Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E., Rutgers University
- Sheila Baker Gujral, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions
12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. General Session and Afternoon Keynote
- General Session MC: Nicole E. Brown, Client Development Manager, Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc.; Emerging Water Leaders of Color Leadership Circle, Black Water Professional Alliance
- Greetings from Title Sponsor: New Jersey American Water
- Fireside Chat: Philanthropy’s Role in Advancing Water Equity
- Jyoti Venketraman, New Jersey Future
- Pamela Russo, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Alana Vega, The Fund for New Jersey
- Keynote Address – From Conflict to Collaboration: Unlocking the Door to One Water
- George Hawkins, ESQ, Founder and CEO, Moonshot Missions
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Toast to Ten Years & Networking Reception
3:30 p.m. Conference Adjourns
| * Final agenda will include breakout session descriptions and presenter information. |
Credit Information
The Tenth Annual Jersey Water Conference offers the following professional continuing education units. Note that some credit-approved sessions may run concurrently during the Conference. Please review the schedule in advance as you plan your sessions. If you have any questions, contact Sara Barreiros at sbarreiros@njfuture.org.
Certified Planners (AICP CM)
- These credits are self-reported through planning.org. You can find our event on APA’s website: https://www.planning.org/events/eventmulti/9301050/.
- The following sessions have been approved for 1.25 AICP CMs:
- Advancing Green Infrastructure: Navigating NJ PACT REAL Updates
- Enhancing Climate Resilience through Municipal Watershed Improvement Plans
Professional Engineers (PE CPC)
- Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) credits are available for 5 sessions.
- To earn 1.3 CPC credits for each approved session:
- Must attend the entire session and sign in and sign out on the attendance form in the back of the room.
- These forms will be reviewed by the Conference Committee and a proof of attendance certificate will be provided within 7-10 days after the Conference. Please be sure to print legibly and provide your email address as that is how you will receive your certificate of attendance.
- Must attend the entire session and sign in and sign out on the attendance form in the back of the room.
- The following sessions have been approved for 1.3 CPC credits each by the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors:
- Towards a One Water Future: Effective Combined Sewer Overflow Solutions with Active Community Involvement
- Advancing Public Health: Lessons Learned From Two Years of Accelerating Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) in New Jersey Communities
- Advancing Green Infrastructure: Navigating NJ PACT REAL Updates
- Unlocking the Potential of Stormwater Utilities: Perspectives and Progress in New Jersey
- Enhancing Climate Resilience through Municipal Watershed Improvement Plans
Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM CEC)
- A total of 4.5 CECs for CFMs by the Association of State Floodplain Managers have been approved for the Tenth Annual Jersey Water Works Conference. All sessions qualify for CEC credits. Floodplain Managers should request a proof of attendance certificate from the Conference Committee to self-report.
