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  (csturmnjfutureorg)  , or any of the individual program leads noted below.

Jersey Water Works

Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers

New Jersey Future coordinates Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers, an action-oriented campaign in communities with combined sewer systems to to empower community organizations to engage residents and small business owners to shape the solutions that will be adopted in July 2020 to reduce localized flooding and the raw sewage dumped into our waterways. We also convene a peer support network for our partners working in other CSO cities. For more information or to join the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign, please contact Community Outreach Manager Mo Kinberg  (mkinbergnjfutureorg)  .

Stormwater Utilities and Financing

New Jersey Future worked with the Flood Defense New Jersey coalition to protect communities from damaging floods and harmful stormwater pollution. Together, we supported the passage of legislation that enables the establishment of stormwater utilities as a stable funding source that local governments and utilities can use to create, maintain, or upgrade stormwater infrastructure. We are now providing support and resources to help communities establish stormwater utilities. For more information on stormwater utilities, please contact Policy Manager Gary Brune  (gbrunenjfutureorg)  

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 Planning and Policy Manager Kandyce Perry  (kperrynjfutureorg)  .

• 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 Green Infrastructure Director Louise Wilson  (lwilsonnjfutureorg)  .

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  (csturmnjfutureorg)  .

Recent Reports:

Future Facts

New Jersey Future Sends Letter to Governor Urging Him To Sign Stormwater Utility Legislation

February 27, 2019 by Elaine Clisham

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 Submits Comments on Proposed Stormwater Rule Amendments

February 4, 2019 by Louise Wilson

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 Statement on Passage of the Clean Stormwater, Flood Reduction Act

January 31, 2019 by New Jersey Future staff

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.

Getting Sewage Off Our Streets and Out of Our Rivers

December 18, 2018 by Moriah Kinberg

A new statewide campaign will work to engage communities in drafting proposed solutions to the problem of sewage overflows into area streets and waterways.

DEP Moves to Require Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management

December 6, 2018 by Louise Wilson

The proposed new stormwater rule makes green infrastructure the priority for stormwater management, rather than an afterthought.

Articles and Stories

NJDEP Issues Sewer Permits That Will Launch Generational Investments

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.

New Jersey’s Urban Water Systems: A Challenge, and an Opportunity for Collaboration, Engagement, Innovation, Vision

How can New Jersey turn this urban water infrastructure crisis into an opportunity for long-term prosperity. August 2014.

Experts Agree on Action Agenda To Address State’s Water Infrastructure Problems

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.

New Report Highlights New Jersey’s Water Infrastructure Crisis

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 Grownup’s Christmas Wishlist for New Jersey (from a land-use perspective)

Dec. 15, 2014 — New Jersey Future’s wish list for 2015 — adequate transportation funding; homes that are affordable; updated statewide water supply plan; a new tunnel under the Hudson River; protection from future storms and a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan.

See all Future Facts and Articles in this category »
 

Reports, Presentations and Testimony