Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! How Water Utilities and Communities are Addressing Changing Climate, Changing Regulations and Changing Lead Pipes!

July 17th, 2023 by Cassie Bolinger

“Water is the only utility you ingest,” noted Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, as he reflected on the serious responsibility that water utilities have to protect the health of the communities they serve. To deliver on this responsibility, water utilities must address ever-changing environmental challenges.

Diane Schrauth, Policy Director for Water at New Jersey Future, moderating the session Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! How Water Utilities and Communities are Addressing Changing Climate, Changing Regulations and Changing Lead Pipes! during the 2023 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference. Photo by Frank H. Conlon

These challenges, and how water utilities are keeping up, were discussed during the session titled ”Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! How Water Utilities and Communities are Addressing Changing Climate, Changing Regulations and Changing Lead Pipes!” during the 2023 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference, co-hosted by New Jersey Future and the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association. Moderated by Diane Schrauth, Policy Director for Water at New Jersey Future, McDonough joined fellow leaders in the water sector, Nicole E Brown, Client Development Manager, Suburban Consulting Engineers; Judy Karp, Assistant Director and Legal and Compliance Officer, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank; and Mark Tompeck, Sr. Vice President and Practice Leader, Water, Mott MacDonald on the panel.

Mark Tompeck, Sr. Vice President and Practice Leader, Water, Mott MacDonald, speaking during the 2023 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference. Photo by Frank H. Conlon

Mark Tompeck of Mott MacDonald, a global engineering, management, and development firm, opened the panel by providing an overview of the major environmental challenges necessitating changes in the water sector. As extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change, Tompack explained, the water sector must employ collaboration and long-term planning to ensure system resiliency and prepare for the impact on water quality and quantity. Tompeck pointed out that proposed drinking water standards that would limit two chemicals associated with an increased cancer risk from long-term exposure, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane, will require updates to utility equipment and operations. Additionally, Tompeck noted that New Jersey legislation requiring the removal of lead service lines by 2031 is a massive undertaking for utilities as they identify where lead service lines exist, plan for replacement, finance replacement, and communicate with residents.

“Water is the only utility you ingest.”

How are leaders in the water sector navigating these challenges? Mark McDonough (New Jersey American Water) highlighted the importance of consistent investment in water infrastructure, stating “the fact of the matter is…if we didn’t recapitalize our systems on a regular basis…they can’t take the stress and pressure of operating under those conditions.” To communicate these changes with the public, he advised utilities to “go out into the communities, have a conversation,” and “don’t be afraid that people may challenge you.”

Mark McDonough, President, New Jersey American Water, and Judy Karp, Assistant Director and Legal and Compliance Officer, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, on the panel for the session Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! How Water Utilities and Communities are Addressing Changing Climate, Changing Regulations and Changing Lead Pipes! during the 2023 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference. Photo by Frank H. Conlon

Nicole E. Brown (Suburban Consulting Engineers) expressed the need for greater access to funding for water systems and spoke to the importance of detailed planning for stakeholder engagement when reaching out to community members. “Who are your stakeholders?” she probed, “What does your school nurse think of it? What does a parent think of it? What does a kid think of it?” Brown also emphasized the value of diversifying the majority white, male water workforce to foster innovative solutions, commenting, “that level of appreciation of the voices in the room that lead to the innovation is what we as an industry have to do.”

Nicole E Brown, Client Development Manager, Suburban Consulting Engineers, on the panel for the session Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! How Water Utilities and Communities are Addressing Changing Climate, Changing Regulations and Changing Lead Pipes! during the 2023 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference. Photo by Frank H. Conlon

How can water systems meet the funding demands of these necessary infrastructure changes? Judy Karp (New Jersey Infrastructure Bank) encouraged water utilities to apply for financing through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank), highlighting their technical assistance programs and principal loan forgiveness for projects that address lead and PFAS. “There is a lot of money coming through our programs right now through BIL [Bipartisan Infrastructure Law] and ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act],” she explained. Karp also announced that I-Bank has applied for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue bonds for the financing of hazard mitigation and resilience projects.

Managing water and wastewater systems is a complex task and important to consider as localities plan for their future. In this panel, water leaders described how they address the simultaneous impacts of climate change, emerging chemical contaminants, and lead service line replacements through long-term planning, capital investments, new technology, collaboration, building public trust, and diversifying the workforce. Tompeck commented during the session, issues such as micro-plastic contamination and lead in household plumbing fixtures are not currently regulated, but pose concerns for public health and the water sector. As we look toward the future of water infrastructure in New Jersey, these methods will remain necessary as new challenges arise.