Water and Sewer
Water is a fundamental resource both to New Jersey’s natural heritage and to its economic well-being. Water resources serve the needs of people, agriculture and industry.
However, unless water is used sustainably those uses may place it, and ecosystems, at risk of permanent degradation.
The state of New Jersey has a complex system of laws, regulations and programs that address planning for and management of water, wastewater and stormwater. This system addresses both water quantity (supply) and water quality, and affects water infrastructure and land use decisions. New Jersey Future’s water quality management planning page highlights the state’s efforts to regulate wastewater infrastructure and the resulting impact on development patterns.
At the regional level, planning frameworks in the Highlands and Pinelands regions were established to protect those regions’ vulnerable water resources.
New Jersey’s urban areas face particular water-infrastructure challenges, exacerbated by a coming deadline for establishing plans to control their sewer systems. Learn more and download our report, Ripple Effects, on our urban water infrastructure resource page.
- Water Quality Management Planning
A resource for information related to wastewater planning and management in New Jersey.
- Water Infrastructure for Thriving Communities
A resource page focused on initiatives to upgrade New Jersey's aging water infrastructure and reduce combined-sewer overflows.
- Stormwater Utilities
A resource page focused on stormwater utilities, an important tool available to communities to help manage stormwater-related polluted runoff and flooding.
- Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure
Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure is a program to make green infrastructure the first choice for stormwater management in New Jersey.
Builders at the Atlantic Builders Convention took a good deal of interest in best practices and benefits of green stormwater management techniques. Proposed new rules will require its use.
New Jersey Future Executive Director Pete Kasabach has sent a letter to Governor Murphy urging him to sign the Clean Stormwater and Flood Reduction Act, which would permit local government entities to establish stormwater management utilities.
New Jersey Future submitted comments on proposed changes to the NJDEP’s stormwater management rules, praising the emphasis on green infrastructure and offering recommendations for making the rule clearer and more effective.
New Jersey Future applauds the Legislature’s Jan. 31, 2019, passage of the Clean Stormwater, Flood Reduction Act, and encourages the governor to sign it.
A new statewide campaign will work to engage communities in drafting proposed solutions to the problem of sewage overflows into area streets and waterways.
03/12/2015: The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today issued final permits to the 25 cities and utilities that operate combined-sewer systems (CSSs), a first step to updating decrepit infrastructure, minimizing flooding and keeping raw sewage from reaching public waterways.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Trenton are preparing to present their plans to restore the Assunpink Creek at a Sept. 15 meeting.
How can New Jersey turn this urban water infrastructure crisis into an opportunity for long-term prosperity. August 2014.
This report and related case studies summarize the state of urban water infrastructure in New Jersey and how it affects residents and businesses. May 2014.
This report and related case studies summarize the state of urban water infrastructure in New Jersey and how it affects residents and businesses. May 2014.
See all Future Facts and Articles in this category »
Reports, Presentations and Testimony
- NJM May 2019 stormwater utlities Van Abs
- 04/17/2019: Comments on Proposed New C1 Stream Designations
- 03/07/2019: Testimony on S1742, S1768 and S1774
- 02/14/2019: Testimony on A2697-S1783
- 02/01/2019: Comments on Phase 1 Stormwater Rule Amendment
- 01/08/2019: Testimony on Stormwater Rule Proposal
- 10/22/2018: Testimony on Stormwater Bill A2694
- 10/11/2018: Recommendations on Proposed Energy Master Plan
- 08/03/2018: Recommendations to NJDEP Concerning CSO Public Participation Process
- New Jersey Future Water Bank Green Infrastructure Financing July 2018
- 05/10/2018: New Jersey Future Testimony on S1073
- 01/02/2018: Letter on A5339
- 11/29/2017: Year One Clean Water Agenda for the Murphy Administration
- 07/13/2017: Testimony on Drinking Water: A Crisis in Every State
- 06/08/2017: Recommendation on Water Quality Accountability Act
- Jersey Water Works Water Infrastructre Funding Report 06-2017 (Intern Report)
- 05/15/2017: Testimony on S2834 - Water Quality Accountability Act
- 03/20/2017: Testimony in support of A4569 - Water Quality Accountability Act
- New Jersey Future 2017 Gubernatorial Platform
- 02/13/2017: Testimony in support of A4415
- Lead in School Drinking Water
- 2013 Facing Our Future Report - Infrastructure Investments Necessary for Economic Success - Links to Water Infrastructure Resources
- Final Jersey City to Proacitvely Test Water Supply Press Release %282%29
- 08/31/2015: Hudson River RBD Project COP Comments
- 2013 Facing Our Future Report - Infrastructure Investments Necessary for Economic Success
- Can We Depend on Our Water Infrastructure?
- 2014-11-18_Trenton Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study.compressed
- 12/12/2014: Testimony on Solving Sewer Overflows: Getting Ahead of the Flow, New Jersey Clean Water Council
- Federal Urban Waters NGO News Release_12 3 2014
- 10/02/2014: Comments on NJDEP FY15 CWSRF and IUP
- Trenton_Meeting_Summary_FINAL
- New Jersey Future Stormwater Utilities Report 9-14 (Intern Report)
- 09/11/2014: Testimony supporting stormwater utilities bill A1583
- Roxanne Qualls presentation on Cincinnati
- PINELANDS_WEB_8_4_14-1
- New Jersey Future Van Abs 2014 Pinelands Growth Area Water Assessment
- Agenda for Change
- Case Study: Paterson
- Case Study: Jersey City
- Case Study: Hoboken
- Case Study: Camden
- Ripple Effects
- Van Abs: Water Infrastructure in New Jersey's CSO Cities
- 01/06/2014: Testimony S1557/A2641
- 12/05/2013: Testimony S1557/A2641
- Air Quality Baseline Topic Report
- Statutory and Regulatory Barriers to Green Infrastructure in New Jersey 1-13 (Intern Report)
- NY Times 8-3-2012 - Mapping Future Growth
- Wastewater Planning County Fact Sheets
- 04/02/2012: NJFuture Comments to State Planning Commission on Draft State Strategic Plan
- 01/18/2012: Statement on Implementation of Wastewater Bill
- 01/05/2012: Statement on A4422-Permit Extension Act
- 12/14/2011: Joint Statement on A4422-S3165 Permit Extension Act
- 12/12/2011: Testimony on S3156
- Executive Order-78
- Smart Growth NJ August 2011 Poll Report
