Through their annual work plans, Jersey Water Works committees plan and implement projects to advance the goals of the collaborative. View the work and accomplishments of our committees in 2016 and 2017.
Any member of the collaborative who wants to participate actively in the work of Jersey Water Works may join a committee.
The committees, their chairs, and their 2018 Work Plan items are listed below.
Asset Management and Finance Committee
Co-chairs: Dan Kennedy, Utility and Transportation Contractors Association; Larry Levine, Natural Resources Defense Council; David Zimmer, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank
Communities maintain and improve drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure systems to deliver quality water services that meet community needs. Operating budgets and capital investment are adequate and affordable, resulting in systems that operate efficiently and in a state of good repair.
2018 Work Plan Items:
- Create an online resource for water systems with small rate bases or fiscal challenges that includes a best practice checklist and model asset management planning approaches, based on input from representative water systems.
- Recommend metrics for measuring system condition, the status of asset management programs, and capital investments for drinking water systems, to inform implementation of the Water Quality Accountability Act.
- Identify appropriate state-level financing options for water infrastructure.
- Review and issue a report assessing water and sewer affordability based on a comparison of utility rates with income data.
- Finalize Prior Year Projects:
1. Review and issue a report on the New Jersey Water Bank’s green infrastructure financing program that identifies ways to improve applicant success.
2. Finalize in-depth case studies assessing the fiscal implications of asset management for drinking water and wastewater utilities.
3. Finalize and publish legal and policy options to facilitate creation of low-income customer assistance programs.
Education and Outreach Committee
Co-chairs: Sandra Meola, New Jersey Audubon; Meishka Mitchell, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership; Shoshanna Page, New Jersey Urban Mayors Association
Well-informed decision makers, community partners, residents and ratepayers participate actively and influence the planning and management of their water infrastructure. They fully understand the importance of taking care of water infrastructure, including the costs of inaction.
2018 Work Plan Items:
- Develop a strategy to ensure the news media emphasizes the need for water infrastructure upgrades in their coverage through both their traditional and social media outlets.
- Develop resources for municipal governments on best practices for engaging stakeholders and constituents on water infrastructure issues.
- Partner with a school to create a model education program discussing all types of water as one connected resource, through integration with existing curriculums or standards
Green Infrastructure Committee
Co-chairs: Rosana DaSilva, NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program; Russ Dudley, Arcadis; Chris Obropta, Rutgers Water Resources Program
Communities employ green infrastructure in a way that maximizes community benefits including reduced flooding and improved water quality, local economies, community health and long-term resiliency.
2018 Work Plan Items:
- Work with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to advance green streets including through the Local Aid grant program, Roadway Design Manual, and implementation of a pilot green street demonstration project.
- Work with the DEP to identify ways to implement JWW recommendations regarding the reasonable use of green infrastructure within Green Acres restricted parks. Explore revisions to the Green Acres rules.
- Recommend ways to inventory green infrastructure installations statewide.
- Create common language and effective messaging for describing green stormwater infrastructure to property owners and residents.
- Recommend ways to advance green infrastructure through revisions to the state’s stormwater regulations and guidance documents for programs relating to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits, combined sewer overflows, and, if necessary, the Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual.
Combined Sewer Overflow Committee
Co-chairs: Drew Curtis, Ironbound Community Corporation; Andy Kricun, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority; Pilar Patterson, Kleinfelder
Municipalities and utilities adopt innovative CSO Long Term Control Plans with cost-effective solutions that meet or exceed permit requirements and provide multiple community benefits.
2018 Work Plan Items:
- Promote pipe cleaning as a low-cost alternative that will significantly reduce combined sewage flooding and overflows and recommend an approach for DEP regulation and enforcement.
- Engage local residents in CSO Long Term Control Plans by preparing materials that humanize the issue.
- Develop a methodology to measure and communicate the balance of green and gray infrastructure in CSO Long Term Control Plans.
- Identify and review new low cost options available to CSO communities to fund operations, maintenance, and capital investment.
- Promote the use of best practices like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s community alternatives analysis roadmap with all CSO permittees.
Interested in joining a committee? Contact Ed DiFiglia of Jersey Water Works’ backbone staff, 609-393-0008 ex. 112, to learn more.
Affinity Groups include:
New Jersey CSO Network
The New Jersey CSO Network is a forum for CSO permit holders and municipalities to share information and resources and seek regulatory, technical and financial support for CSO solutions that save money and serve communities better. The network includes staff and consultants from the 21 municipalities with CSOs and eight sewage treatment plants with NJDEP CSO permits. Andy Kricun of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority and Fred Pocci of the North Hudson Sewerage Authority serve as co-chairmen. Jersey Water Works provides staff support. For more information, contact Brian Caycho.
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