Smart CSO Control Plans
Many of New Jersey’s oldest cities still rely on combined sewer systems in which stormwater runoff from city streets feeds into sewer lines along with sewage from homes. In dry weather it’s pumped to a sewer treatment plant where it is then treated. Some of these systems are more than 100 years old.
During heavy rainfalls, the volume of stormwater in the combined systems can overwhelm the capacity of the treatment plant. When that happens, combined sewage and stormwater overflows into local waterways and can back up into streets, public spaces such as parks, and even residential basements.
Jersey Water Works’ initial efforts involved working with communities and utilities that have combined sewer systems to help them identify and implement an appropriate and optimal combination of strategies to reduce sewer overflows. In 2015, the first round of five-year CSO permits were issued by the NJDEP, which required the operators of combined sewer systems to develop a Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) that describes how they intend to reduce overflows. Since then—until the submission of draft LTCPs in 2020—the Jersey Water Works CSO Committee continued the collaborative’s initial efforts by participating in the public input process, assisting communities in submitting comments on the drafts, and submitting its own comments. As the operators begin implementation of the finalized plans and the NJDEP crafts the next five-year permits, the CSO Committee will continue to make recommendations that support cost-effective approaches, affordable options, community benefits, and a balance of green and gray projects.
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09/12/2410-Year Reflection on Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
Since day one, finding long-term solutions for CSOs has been an urgent concern for Jersey Water Works (JWW) members. In the past decade, members have worked to increase the visibility of CSO challenges and tackle them through collaborative efforts advocating for the adoption of innovative CSO Long-Term Control Plans (LTCPs) that offer cost-effective solutions and multiple community benefits. Check out this mini-report, which summarizes the actions taken by the CSO committee and highlights the engagement of JWW members in influencing decision-making.READ ARTICLE#Smart CSO Control Plans -
07/01/24Connect and Learn with NJ Office of Emergency Management and US EPA Region 2
On June 26, 2024, Jersey Water Works Climate Resilience and Combined Sewer Overflow committees hosted the virtual Connect and Learn with New Jersey of Office Emergency Management and US Environmental Protection Agency Region 2. Participants learned more about the funding opportunities available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Community (BRIC) Program and resources offered by EPA that can help increase system resilience to climate change impacts.READ ARTICLE#Climate Resilience, #Community Engagement and Partnerships, #Smart CSO Control PlansSOURCE
Andrea Jovie Sapal and Zeke Weston, JWW Backbone Staff -
01/11/24Key Points Made at Ninth Annual Jersey Water Works Conference
Members of the JWW collaborative shared an incredible amount of important information at the ninth annual conference on December 13, 2023. Over 200 participants gathered at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ, to learn from the water sector’s leaders, experts, and advocates on different topics that catered to the needs and interests of the diverse stakeholders that make up the JWW collaborative. Participants forged new connections and reinforced old connections. Even after the conference adjourned, many stayed behind, engaged in long conversations.READ ARTICLE#Climate Resilience, #Community Engagement and Partnerships, #Green Infrastructure/Stormwater Management, #Lead, #Smart CSO Control Plans, #WorkforceSOURCE
Paula Figueroa-Vega, Director, Jersey Water Works Collaborative -
07/31/23First Ever Joint Membership Meeting Held by Jersey Water Works & Lead-Free New Jersey
“One thing is clear, equity is furthered by our continued collaboration,” announced Olivia Glenn, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for Equity U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Office, in her welcoming remarks at the Jersey Water Works and Lead-Free New Jersey Joint Membership Meeting. Members of JWW, LFNJ, and water and lead advocates convened on July 12, 2023, for the first-ever Joint Membership Meeting to connect on water issues and the collective need for community input. Read the full blog here.READ ARTICLE#Affordability, #Climate Resilience, #Community Engagement and Partnerships, #Drinking Water, #Green Infrastructure/Stormwater Management, #Lead, #Paying for Water Infrastructure, #Smart CSO Control Plans, #WorkforceSOURCE
Sneha Patel, Communications Specialist -
05/12/23May 2023 Committee Updates
In January 2023, the JWW committees decided on their annual work plans. Learn about the progress that has been made so far.READ ARTICLE#Affordability, #Climate Resilience, #Community Engagement and Partnerships, #Data, #Green Infrastructure/Stormwater Management, #Lead, #Smart CSO Control Plans, #Workforce
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05/15/23Jersey Water Works Comments on North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) Draft Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Permits
The Jersey Water Works Combined Sewer Overflow Committee submitted comments to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) Draft Combined Sewer Overflow Permits NJ0026085 and NJ0025321—North Hudson Sewerage Authority Adams Street Wastewater Treatment Plant and River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant.LEARN MORE#Smart CSO Control PlansPRODUCT OF
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02/13/23Jersey Water Works Comments on Guttenberg/NBMUA Draft CSO Permits
The Jersey Water Works Combined Sewer Overflow Committee submitted comments to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on the Guttenberg/North Bergen Municipal Utility Authority (NBMUA) Draft Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Permits.LEARN MORE#Smart CSO Control PlansPRODUCT OF
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12/01/22Ask Card – Combined Sewer Overflow and Climate Change
The Jersey Water Works (JWW) Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Committee has been reviewing the CSO Long Term Control Plans for NJ sewer agencies, commenting publicly that the LTCPs provided limited guidance on how CSO utilities expect to handle climate change. The Climate Change Subcommittee created this Ask Card to educate stakeholders to ensure the CSO permits incorporate current climate change data.LEARN MORE#Climate Resilience,#Smart CSO Control PlansPRODUCT OF
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11/30/22Executive Summary – Planning for Our Future: Effects of Climate Change on CSOs
The Jersey Water Works (JWW) Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Committee recognizes that CSO permittees, communities, and stakeholders know that climate change can harm our sewer infrastructure, but may struggle with how to plan for climate resiliency. Recently, major events like Hurricanes Henri and Ida have raised awareness and increased visibility of our current sewer infrastructure capacity. New Jerseyans have felt and seen how many parts of our ...LEARN MORE#Climate Resilience,#Smart CSO Control PlansPRODUCT OF
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11/30/22Fact Sheet on Municipal Combined Sewer Outfall Long Term Control Plans
Under the federal Clean Water Act, combined sewer discharges are prohibited without a permit. In New Jersey, the permit program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and is an essential tool for the control of combined sewer overflows (CSOs). In March 2015, NJDEP issued 25 CSO permits for the municipalities, utilities, and treatment plants that receive combined sewage.LEARN MORE#Community Engagement and Partnerships,#Smart CSO Control PlansPRODUCT OF
