Committees and Their Work

Jersey Water Works committees engage actively in the work of the collaborative and contribute to advancing the yearly objectives and longer term goals.

Through their annual work plans, Jersey Water Works committees plan and implement projects to advance the goals of the collaborative. The committees, their 2018 accomplishments, their chairs, and their 2018 Work Plan items are listed below.  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. Not yet a member? Join the membership today!

Committee Initiatives and Work Products:

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
Committee goal: 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.
2018 Work Plan Items
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2018 Accomplishments:

2018 Accomplishments
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Education and Outreach Committee

Co-chairs: Christine Ballard, T&M Associates; Sandra Meola, New Jersey Audubon; Shoshanna Page, New Jersey Urban Mayors Association
Committee goal: 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 curricula or standards.
2018 Work Plan Items
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2018 Accomplishments:

2018 Accomplishments
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Green Infrastructure Committee

Co-chairs: Rosana DaSilva, NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program; Russ Dudley, Arcadis; Chris Obropta, Rutgers Water Resources Program
Committee goal: 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.
2018 Work Plan Items
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2018 Accomplishments:

  • Secured funding from EPA Region 2 to produce a green streets handbook.
  • Working with NJDEP to revise rules, guidance and tools to integrate green infrastructure into parks, municipal reports, and project inventories.
  • Completed a first draft of a green infrastructure guide for private property owners and residents.
2018 Accomplishments
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Combined Sewer Overflow Committee

Co-chairs: Drew Curtis, Ironbound Community Corporation; Andy Kricun, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority; Pilar Patterson, Kleinfelder
Committee goal: 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.
2018 Work Plan Items
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2018 Accomplishments:

2018 Accomplishments
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Interested in joining a committee? Contact Ed DiFiglia of Jersey Water Works’ backbone staff, 609-393-0008 ex. 112, to learn more.

Task Forces include:

Lead in Drinking Water Task Force

Jersey Water Works has convened a collaborative task force of experts from water utilities, trade associations, environmental groups, academia, advocacy and community development organizations, and all levels of government will develop a practical, broadly-supported action agenda to eliminate lead in drinking water throughout New Jersey. Chris Daggett, former commissioner of the NJDEP serves as chairman. More information and a list of members here. Contact Gary Brune, 609-393-0008 ex. 119, 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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