Water Infrastructure for Thriving Communities
New Jersey’s cities and towns face a multi-billion-dollar price-tag to fix drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The cost of not fixing them will be even higher.
Strong communities depend upon reliable water infrastructure. Every resident and business in New Jersey deserves safe drinking water, clean rivers, and flood-free neighborhoods. The growing New Jersey Future water team is working to transform the state’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems through a multi-pronged approach to engage people, change state policy, and foster innovation. For more information on New Jersey Future’s work in this area, please contact Managing Director for Policy and Water Chris Sturm (csturmnjfuture
org) , or any of the individual program leads noted below.
Jersey Water Works
- The collaborative has convened a Lead in Drinking Water Task Force to develop a practical, broadly supported agenda for eliminating lead in drinking water. The task force’s report, Lead in Drinking Water: A Permanent Solution for New Jersey, outlines actions New Jersey can take to virtually eliminate lead in drinking water in 10 years. In 2019-2020 and beyond, the task force will work on implementing the report recommendations.
- The collaborative is creating a data dashboard to display the current condition of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, as well as progress toward improvements. By supporting continuous learning and action, the dashboard will accelerate the improvement of water infrastructure in the collaborative’s four goal areas.
New Jersey Future provides backbone staff support to the Jersey Water Works collaborative as well as serving on its Steering Committee. For more information or to join the collaborative, please contact Program Manager Paula Figueroa-Vega (pfigueroanjfuture
org) or Program Coordinator Lauren Belsky (lbelsky
njfuture
org) .
Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure
- Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit is an online resource to help municipalities plan, implement and sustain green infrastructure.
- Developer’s Green Infrastructure Guide is an online and printed information resource, produced in collaboration with the New Jersey Builders Association, to facilitate the inclusion of green infrastructure in private-sector developments.
For more information on the Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure program please contact Director of Stormwater Kandyce Perry (kperrynjfuture
org) .
Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers


Stormwater Utilities and Financing


Municipal Technical Assistance
- Trenton Municipal Action Team
New Jersey Future is working with the Rutgers Water Resources Program and Isles Inc. to pilot a community-based initiative addressing environmental health issues through the implementation of green infrastructure demonstration projects in the City of Trenton. New Jersey Future’s role is to help facilitate the Trenton municipal action team and to work with the city to review and recommend changes to its stormwater ordinance. For more information, please contact Director of Stormwater Kandyce Perry (kperrynjfuture
org) .
- Newark Green Stormwater Management
New Jersey Future has provided technical assistance to the City of Newark on stormwater management and green infrastructure as the city prepares its combined sewer system upgrade plan. We organized study trips for city staff to Philadelphia and Buffalo; and helped staff integrate green infrastructure into city capital projects and private development, and advance green infrastructure demonstration projects. We also work with local partners to develop and promote consistent messaging on green stormwater management. For more information, please contact Director of Stormwater Kandyce Perry (kperrynjfuture
org) .
Unlocking New Jersey’s Green Infrastructure Financing Program
New Jersey Future has worked with the New Jersey Water Bank to make it easier for cities to gain access to funding for green infrastructure projects that resolve combined sewer overflows. We are helping two cities advance through the funding process; we have prepared a user-friendly applicant’s guide; and have published a white paper that highlights program successes, identifies successful policies, and recommends strategies for applicants This work builds on our Build It Green initiative. For more information, please contact Managing Director, Policy and Water Chris Sturm (csturmnjfuture
org) .
Recent Reports:
New Jersey Future Blog
November 10, 2020 by Andrew TabasGreen infrastructure can make your town a healthier, cleaner, and safer place to live by reducing flood risk, returning clean water to the ground, cleaning and cooling the air, and aiding in pedestrian safety. Learn more in the updated Municipal Toolkit.
November 9, 2020 by New Jersey Future staffHow much do municipalities and counties currently spend on stormwater infrastructure, and how receptive are they to this new concept? A new New Jersey Department of Community Affairs survey aims to find out.
September 4, 2020 by New Jersey Future staffThe New Jersey Stormwater Utilities Resource Center is a one-stop-shop, housing technical legal and financial information, case studies, and helpful guidance on stormwater solutions, community process, and public engagement.
July 14, 2020 by New Jersey Future staffIn December of 2020, Jersey Water Works will launch an online data dashboard to tell the story of New Jersey’s water and sewer systems. This web-based dashboard is being designed for a wide variety of users and will provide a range of metrics that is easy to understand.
June 12, 2020 by Kimberley IrbyIn New Jersey, as the coronavirus threatens public health in the state with the second-highest number of cases and deaths, the water sector has to work even harder to ensure that services continue unimpeded, while also managing the issues of lead in drinking water, combined sewer overflows, and aging infrastructure in general.
Articles and Stories
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.

A one-hour webinar focused on consumer-facing communications strategies for water and sewer utilities. Thursday, May 14, 2015.

2015 Smart Growth Awards: Reactivation of a neglected landmark park in downtown Newark as a thriving public space.

2015 Smart Growth Awards: Plan for re-engineering 16 blocks of Washington Street in Hoboken to improve safety and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians

2015 Smart Growth Awards: Partnership of community organizations working to construct green and grey infrastructure to alleviate flooding in the city of Camden.

Green infrastructure can make your town a healthier, cleaner, and safer place to live by reducing flood risk, returning clean water to the ground, cleaning and cooling the air, and aiding in pedestrian safety. Learn more in the updated Municipal Toolkit.

How much do municipalities and counties currently spend on stormwater infrastructure, and how receptive are they to this new concept? A new New Jersey Department of Community Affairs survey aims to find out.

The New Jersey Stormwater Utilities Resource Center is a one-stop-shop, housing technical legal and financial information, case studies, and helpful guidance on stormwater solutions, community process, and public engagement.

In December of 2020, Jersey Water Works will launch an online data dashboard to tell the story of New Jersey’s water and sewer systems. This web-based dashboard is being designed for a wide variety of users and will provide a range of metrics that is easy to understand.

In New Jersey, as the coronavirus threatens public health in the state with the second-highest number of cases and deaths, the water sector has to work even harder to ensure that services continue unimpeded, while also managing the issues of lead in drinking water, combined sewer overflows, and aging infrastructure in general.

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.

A one-hour webinar focused on consumer-facing communications strategies for water and sewer utilities. Thursday, May 14, 2015.

2015 Smart Growth Awards: Reactivation of a neglected landmark park in downtown Newark as a thriving public space.

2015 Smart Growth Awards: Plan for re-engineering 16 blocks of Washington Street in Hoboken to improve safety and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians

2015 Smart Growth Awards: Partnership of community organizations working to construct green and grey infrastructure to alleviate flooding in the city of Camden.
See all New Jersey Future Blog posts and articles in this category »
Reports, Presentations and Testimony
- 11/14/2019: Testimony on Lead Bills S3990, S4110, S4177
- 04/17/2019: Comments on Proposed New C1 Stream Designations
- 02/14/2019: Testimony on A2697-S1783
- 06/14/2018: Testimony on Lead in Drinking Water
- 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
- 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
- 2013 Facing Our Future Report - Infrastructure Investments Necessary for Economic Success
- Can We Depend on Our Water Infrastructure?
- Federal Urban Waters NGO News Release_12 3 2014
- New Jersey Future Stormwater Utilities Report 9-14 (Intern Report)
- Jeff Hughes: Financing Urban Water Infrastructure
- 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