EPA’s New Lead and Copper Rule Reference the Work Happening in New Jersey
Photo description: Lead service line replacement in Trenton, NJ. Photo credit: Peter Kasabach.
TRENTON, December 6, 2023 — Andy Kricun and Nicole Miller, JWW Steering Committee Co-Chairs state:
“Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a nationwide requirement to eliminate lead service lines within the next ten years. Lead in drinking water is a serious risk, especially for pregnant women and young children. Poorer communities and lower-income households, lacking the resources to replace lead service lines, have historically been at greater risk. The new EPA Lead and Copper rule will soon eliminate this public health and environmental justice threat,” said Nicole Miller, Jersey Water Works Steering Committee co-chair
“This new federal rule was shaped directly by the state and local leadership of New Jersey. The new EPA rule mirrors not only NJ’s own law, requiring the elimination of lead service lines within ten years, but also the City of Newark’s direct action to eliminate its own lead service lines within an even shorter time frame. The State of New Jersey and the City of Newark serve as prototypes to lead the nation in protecting vulnerable communities and households from the public health dangers associated with lead service lines. The Jersey Water Works collaborative is very pleased to see the EPA moving into this direction. In 2018, JWW brought cross-sector partners together to develop a blueprint for how to replace LSLs efficiently and equitably, and then recommended to the state that it adopt the blueprint, including the ten year replacement requirement into law, which the governor and legislature embraced,” added Andy Kricun, Jersey Water Works Steering Committee co-chair.
Next week, on December 13, 2023, the Jersey Water Works (JWW) collaborative will convene over 200 affiliates at its ninth annual conference at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ. Join state and local decision-makers, practitioners, and stakeholders determined to safeguard public health by seeking equitable and sustainable water solutions. This full-day event includes a keynote speaker, featured speakers, six workshops, and a drinking water utility track dedicated to supporting drinking water utility professionals working on lead service line replacement. While aimed at industry professionals, members of the press are welcome to attend to learn more about water issues in NJ.
The Jersey Water Works collaborative is committed to promoting conversations about water at both the local and state levels because we all share one water. Since 2015, Jersey Water Works collaborative has been bringing together stakeholders from across New Jersey who are committed to upgrading the state’s inadequate water infrastructure in sustainable, cost-effective ways that deliver community benefits. The collaborative has over 600 members who work together to advance this shared agenda. Jersey Water Works collaborative has hosted eight successful conferences to date. We anticipate over 200 participants.
Jersey Water Works 9th Annual Conference
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
- AGENDA: Learn more about the agenda for the day by clicking here.
- REGISTER: To register, please visit here: https://newjerseyfuture.regfox.com/2023-jersey-water-works-conference
