Press Release: New Jersey Group Wins Award for Policy Innovation and Leadership in Lead Service Line Replacement
New Jersey Group Wins Award for Policy Innovation and Leadership in Lead Service Line Replacement
National experts in water infrastructure convened in Washington, D.C. to celebrate and honor innovation and leadership in Lead Service Line Replacement Initiatives. New Jersey’s group, the Jersey Water Works Lead Service Line Implementation Workgroup, received an award for its work in advancing Lead Service Line Replacement.
TRENTON, NJ — The Jersey Water Works Lead Service Line Implementation Workgroup received an award from the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative. The group was honored in the Policy Innovation and Leadership category for its leadership and significant contributions to advancing lead service line replacement. The Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative’s “Honoring Excellence in Lead Service Line Replacement” award ceremony was held at the American Water Works Association conference on June 23 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Replacing lead service lines eliminates a major source of toxic lead in drinking water, positively impacting public health. Today, thousands of people are seeing the benefits of New Jersey’s ongoing lead service line replacement. The effort to remove lead from the state’s drinking water began eight years ago, with water utilities, advocacy groups, academic experts, public health organizations, and government officials working together. In 2018, Jersey Water Works, with support from The Fund for New Jersey, created the Lead in Drinking Water Task Force, which soon issued policy recommendations. The recommendations informed a major law, signed in 2021, that now requires all public community water systems to locate and replace every lead and galvanized service line in the state within ten years. Today, New Jersey is recognized as an innovator in addressing lead in drinking water.
The Jersey Water Works Lead Service Line Implementation Workgroup now provides ongoing peer-to-peer support to ensure the law’s implementation. For the past five years, they have met regularly to find solutions, share best practices, develop toolkits and resources, and track progress.
“This recognition in the area of Policy Innovation and Leadership is a powerful validation of what’s possible when government, utilities, advocates, and communities work together with urgency and purpose,” said Yolanda McCollom, PE, Environmental Engineer Ridgewood Water, Co-Chair LSL Implementation Workgroup. “From the foundational 2019 report to the landmark 2021 legislation and the practical tools we’ve developed for implementation, our Workgroup has helped position New Jersey as a national leader in eliminating lead from drinking water. This recognition belongs to every partner who remains fully committed to supporting utilities and municipalities so that by 2031 every lead service line in New Jersey is replaced, protecting our children and ensuring equitable access to safe water for all.”
“Jersey Water Works congratulates the Lead Service Line Implementation Workgroup on this well-deserved Policy Innovation and Leadership award. What began as a collaborative task force in 2018 has grown into a powerful engine for real change,” said Deandrah Cameron, Policy Manager, New Jersey Future and Jersey Water Works backbone staff. “This work is translating bold ideas into landmark legislation, practical tools, and measurable progress toward eliminating lead service lines across New Jersey.”
Awards presented at the ceremony also included New Jersey leaders and workgroup members: Kareem Adeem, Director, City of Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities, received the Community Ambassador Recognition for his leadership and excellence in Newark’s landmark LSL Replacement Program. Sandra Kutzing, Senior Vice President and Lead and Copper Strategy Leader at CDM Smith, received the Contractor Consultant Extraordinaire award. Noemi de La Puente, Principal Engineer, Trenton Water Works LSL Replacement, received the Fiscal Savvy and Funding Innovation award.
“This recognition highlights the impact of our collective impact model and the dedication of everyone involved. We are incredibly proud of the Workgroup’s leadership and remain committed to supporting their vital work as we move toward our shared goal of safe, lead-free drinking water for every New Jersey resident,” said Paula Figueroa-Vega, Director of the Jersey Water Works Collaborative.
Read the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative press release here.
About Jersey Water Works
Jersey Water Works is a collaborative of more than 600 organizations and individuals working to transform New Jersey’s water infrastructure by investing in sustainable, cost-effective solutions that deliver multiple community benefits. New Jersey Future serves as the backbone organization for the collaborative.
