Governor’s Office August Hearings on American Rescue Plan Funding Comments Submitted on behalf of the Jersey Water Works Collaborative

Governor’s Office August Hearings on American Rescue Plan Funding

Comments Submitted on behalf of the Jersey Water Works Collaborative

August 2022

• ​​The urgency of the water-infrastructure problem in New Jersey’s older cities and towns cannot be overstated to protect our water resources. Certain water systems are over a century old, in disrepair, and are unable to handle the increasing volume that comes with successful urban revitalization. 
• Jersey Water Works (JWW) is working to transform New Jersey’s inadequate water infrastructure through sustainable, cost-effective solutions that provide communities with clean water and waterways, healthier, safer neighborhoods, local jobs, flood and climate resilience, and economic growth. 
• JWW celebrates and appreciates the recently allocated $300 million funding from the federal American Rescue Plan for water infrastructure in the FY23 state budget.
• Even with the increase in funding, there is still a funding gap. The amount does not fully cover the cost associated with bringing the water infrastructure changes necessary, improving stormwater management, and reducing flooding. 
• Bringing more funding to water infrastructure in addition to the recently committed $300 million will be critical to help cover part of the cost of lead service line removal; significantly jumpstart work to eliminate harmful “forever chemicals” from our drinking water, and provide the funding needed to fix combined sewer systems. It also helps to limit burdensome increases in water and sewer bills for New Jersey families, especially those who can least afford it.

We thank you for your consideration of additional investment in New Jersey’s water infrastructure. 

JWW co-chairs: Andy Kricun (Moonshoot Missions) and Nicole Miller (MnM Consulting)

Backbone staff members: Paula Figueroa-Vega and Jyoti Venketraman (New Jersey Future)