In early 2018, the collaborative’s committees underwent a restructuring process to align with the newly developed goals. These initiatives were overseen by the steering committee. The committees in 2016 and 2017, their chairs, work plans, and accomplishments are listed below. Learn more about the current committees and their work.
Through their annual work plans, Jersey Water Works committees plan and implement projects to advance the goals of the collaborative. Any member of the collaborative who wants to participate actively in the work of Jersey Water Works may join a committee.
Best Practices
Co-chairmen: Larry Levine, Natural Resources Defense Council and Rick Risoldi, Middlesex Water Company
Committee goal: The Best Practices committee works to identify and help implement innovative, cost-effective solutions for New Jersey’s aging water infrastructure that provide community benefits.
2016 Work Plan here.
2017 Work Plan here.
2016 Accomplishments
- Helped municipal leaders conduct water loss audits and asset management by creating new Sustainable Jersey “actions.”
- Established a “One Water” awards program in partnership with industry associations, to recognize the use of best practices.
2017 Accomplishments
- Finalizing legal and policy recommendations to enable creation of low-income customer assistance programs, based on research and stakeholder input.
- Published a Combined Sewer Overflow Solution facts sheet highlighting best practices in New Jersey that enrich the resources found in the NJ AIMS Guide.
- Launched the New Jersey One Water Awards with industry partners to honor projects that exemplify a holistic “One Water” approach.
Green Infrastructure (a sub-committee of Best Practices)
Co-chairs: Jennifer Gonzalez, Louis Berger and Rob Pirani, NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program
Committee goal: The Green Infrastructure committee works to promote and advance construction of green-infrastructure projects in CSO communities and across the state.
2016 Work Plan here.
2017 Work Plan here.
2016 Accomplishments
- Identified new ways for existing parks to manage stormwater via design tips and recommended changes to Green Acres protocols.
- Advanced green infrastructure and green streets, by educating municipal and county engineers, and forging a partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
- Helped municipal leaders promote green infrastructure planning and implementation by creating new Sustainable Jersey “actions.”
Municipal Outreach
Co-chairwomen: Linda Weber, Sustainable Jersey and Shoshanna Page, New Jersey Urban Mayors Association
Committee goal: The Municipal Outreach committee works to engage municipal staff and decision makers in upgrading their city or town’s water infrastructure.
2016 Work Plan here.
2017 Work Plan here.
2016 Accomplishments
- Helped mayors host national communications experts to bring training and free consulting to CSO cities, sewer utilities and community activists.
- Provided training to environmental commissions and green teams on CSO systems and solutions.
- Mayors, city councils and the New Jersey League of Municipalities have signed proclamations and resolutions on in support of 21st-century water infrastructure. Learn more about how to have your city or town sign on!
2017 Accomplishments
- Helped the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association Water Infrastructure Policy Committee develop recommendations for the new governor.
- Provided educational seminars on topics including the Water Quality Accountability Act, stakeholder communications, and new Sustainable Jersey “actions.”
Community Engagement
Co-chairwomen: Debbie Mans, NY/NJ Baykeeper and Meishka Mitchell, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership
Committee goal: The Community Engagement committee works to ensure that decision makers, community partners and ratepayers participate actively and influence the planning and management of their water infrastructure.
2016 Work Plan here.
2017 Work Plan here.
2016 Accomplishments
- Built bridges between sewer utilities and their stakeholders by convening regulators, utilities and community advocates to clarify CSO public-outreach requirements and to improve signage.
- Compiled and shared engagement resources, including educational materials, participation opportunities, stakeholder engagement lists, and communications tips.
2017 Accomplishments
- Designed images for signs that explain combined sewer overflows to the public, in partnership with the NJDEP and wastewater utilities.
- Compiled educational curricula to teach schoolchildren about water infrastructure
- Provided social media tools to engage stakeholders in water infrastructure events like Imagine a Day without Beer.
Finance
Co-chairmen: David Zimmer, New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust and Chris Daggett, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Committee goal: The Finance committee works to identify funding strategies and opportunities to ensure financially sustainable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure systems.
2016 Work Plan here.
2017 Work Plan here.
2016 Accomplishments
- Launched research on two case studies, in partnership with the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, into the fiscal implications of wastewater utility asset management programs.
- Initiated the evaluation of the state’s financing programs for green infrastructure.
2017 Accomplishments
- Published in-depth case studies assessing the fiscal implications of asset management for drinking water and wastewater utilities.
- Published a national survey of state-level initiatives to fund water infrastructure.
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