News & Press

Press Release Issued for Next Week's Annual Conference!

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 22:00:00 GMT

AWWA NJ distributed a Press Release highlighting next week's Annual Conference in Atlantic City.

2024 Benchmarking Survey Now Open

Fri, 1 Mar 2024 12:34:00 GMT

Benchmarking utility performance indicators are an essential element of continuous improvement, allowing utilities to track their own performance, compare their results to peers, and identify areas that could be strengthened or improved.

The AWWA Utility Benchmarking Program provides objective performance measures for utility leaders to track their organizational performance. Review the complete list of performance indicators.

If your utility is interested in participating in the 2024 Utility Benchmarking Survey, please CLICK HERE to learn more on How To Participate.

If you need any additional information, please contact benchmarking@awwa.org.

AWWA Testifies Regarding Collaborative Cybersecurity Efforts

Fri, 1 Mar 2024 12:31:00 GMT

According to an AWWA "Connections" article published February 22, 2024

"Voicing support for strong and collaborative cybersecurity oversight in the water sector, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently testified before two committees of the U.S. House of Representatives about the benefits of an innovative co-regulatory approach.

Following the testimony, AWWA leaders were optimistic that legislation to create a collaborative model would be introduced in the House in the very near future."

AWWA NJ Posts Lead and Copper Rule Position Statement

Fri, 1 Mar 2024 12:27:00 GMT

The American Water Works New Jersey (AWWA NJ) Section Water Utility Council (WUC) has provided comments, as presented in a position paper submitted on February 5, 2024, on behalf of the AWWA NJ Section on recommended revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While AWWA NJ supports EPA’s effort to improve the LCR and enhance public health, we have several recommendations that will improve the logistics and reduce the costs associated with rule implementation and compliance.

READ FULL POSITION STATEMENT

Position Papers Posted

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:27:00 GMT

AWWA NJ Position Papers posted regarding S1006-A2836 (Legionella) and S3179 (PFAS).

For more information, visit the Legislative News page

Infrastructure Act Passed: Impacts for Water

Fri, 3 Dec 2021 12:45:15 GMT

How will the new massive Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act affect the Water Sector? Watch this special youtube video from AWWA and hear Legislative Director, Tommy Holmes and Public Affairs Director, Greg Kail discuss the impacts for water.

NJDEP Announces Training Contact Hour (TCH) Waiver for Licensed Operators

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:22:53 GMT

One June 30, 2021, NJDEP announced Training Contact Hours (TCH) Waiver for Licensed Operators.

Click here for the full NJDEP Memorandum.

PFAS Briefing Guide Now Available

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 14:39:38 GMT

AWWA has released a new PFAS Briefing Guide to help utilities answer questions from customers and the public regarding PFAS. With the recent release of the film "Dark Waters," utilities may see more questions and inquiries from customers about this issue, and the briefing guide is a resource to help utilities answer questions and explain this complex issue in more easy-to-understand terms.

Catherine McCabe has been confirmed as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 16:00:21 GMT

NJ.Com has reported that Catherine McCabe has been confirmed as Commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Protection. Please click here for information on Catherine McCabe.

PALLONE ACCUSES WHITE HOUSE OF TRYING TO SUPPRESS REPORT ON PFCS IN DRINKING WATER

Fri, 18 May 2018 15:30:17 GMT

ENVIRONMENTAL/ENERGY

PALLONE ACCUSES WHITE HOUSE OF TRYING TO SUPPRESS REPORT ON PFCS IN DRINKING WATER

AWWA NJ's Retired Professionals Present $2000 Check to Toms River East High School

Tue, 15 May 2018 14:25:23 GMT

AWWA NJ Retire Professional's Committee Present $2000 Check to Toms River East High School for Its Work on the 11th Edition of the Living History Project. Click for more information.

DEP Encourages Public to Learn More About the Potential for Lead in Water During National DWW

Fri, 11 May 2018 21:20:02 GMT

DEP ENCOURAGES PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR LEAD IN WATER DURING NATIONAL DRINKING WATER WEEK

Sources: Murphy to tap EPA official to lead environmental protection

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 23:36:00 GMT

Sources: Murphy to tap EPA official to lead environmental protection (For full article, please click here)

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy plans to nominate a top official at the Environmental Protection Agency to lead conservation efforts in New Jersey, according to two sources familiar with the plans.

Murphy is set to announce his selection of Catherine McCabe, the former acting administrator of the EPA and a former federal prosecutor, as his choice for commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, these people said. He is set to hold a press conference Thursday morning in Monmouth County.

Eustace Holds Press Conference on Clean Water, Air

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:56:05 GMT

EUSTACE TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON NEW CLEAN AIR, WATER LEGISLATION

     (TRENTON) – Assembly Environment Committee Chair Timothy Eustace (D-Bergen, Passaic) will hold an afternoon press conference in the State House on Thursday, November 30 on newly proposed legislation concerning the public right to clean air and water.

     Eustace will be joined by fellow legislators and environmental advocates including Maya van Rossum of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and David Pringle, the NJ Campaign Director of Clean Water Action.

     The proposed legislation would establish a constitutional right to clean air and water. Eustace has recently raised concerns about the plans to address groundwater contamination in Pompton Lakes caused by a nearby DuPont site.

     The press conference will be held at 1 p.m. in Committee Room 9 on the 3rd Floor of the State House in Trenton.

The Water Quality Accountability Act which was signed into law in July

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:26:09 GMT

The Water Quality Accountability Act which was signed into law on July 21, 2017.

Download the document

Statewide Water Supply Plan Posted

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:23:56 GMT

The final NJ statewide water supply plan has been posted to NJDEP’s website with minor revisions. The Plan is accessible at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/wsp.html.

Benson to introduce bill package to increase transparency

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:59:21 GMT

BENSON TO INTRODUCE BILL PACKAGE TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY IN LEAD TESTING AFTER TRENTON WATER WORKS FINDS ELEVATED LEVELS

     (HAMILTON) – Assemblyman Daniel Benson (D-Mercer / Middlesex) will introduce two pieces of legislation on Thursday in response to notification of elevated levels of lead found in the water sourced by Trenton Water Works.

     Benson noted that letters were sent to all 64,000 Trenton Water Works customers in Trenton, Hamilton, Lawrence, and Ewing last week with recommendations and steps to reduce lead in their drinking water, however, notification was not provided to officials in the affected municipalities.

     Benson's first measure would require that any water works system that fails lead testing at any level must notify the municipalities and their school districts so that they may begin emergency management as necessary. More specifically, if the water system has lead levels above the action level, municipalities must be provided with information on what areas of the given system were tested and where elevated lead levels are found.

     The other measure Benson plans to introduce would allow municipalities to request funding from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in order to reimburse their residents the cost of water testing from a DEP certified laboratory.

     "While I am glad that Trenton Water Works is taking appropriate steps to identify the source of corrosion in their systems, I firmly believe that that the Department of Environmental Protection guidelines for notification are in need of revision" said Benson. "Our residents deserve assistance in covering the high costs of testing and greater transparency can only keep the people of New Jersey safer and healthier. We cannot expect families to wait six months for a resample with the potential of continual lead exposure."

     Under the Lead and Copper Rule, water systems are required to periodically test drinking water at customer taps. If lead concentrations exceed an action level of 15 parts per billion in more than 10 percent of customer taps sampled, the system must take certain steps to prevent and control corrosion. However, the actual locations tested are confidential and not publicly available. Although in this situation the Lead and Copper Rule requires that a utility send a letter to all of their customers within sixty days of the monitoring period, this rule does not require that the utility cover the cost of testing for its customers, nor are there currently public funds to assist homeowners.

Bateman Announces $25 Million For Clean Water Initiatives in 16th District

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:25:50 GMT

Following the signing of legislation to fund improvements through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex) announced $25 million in funding for clean water projects in the 16th Legislative District.

"We have to ensure that the people of New Jersey have access to clean water," Senator Bateman said. "In order to do that, our infrastructure has to be upgraded and modernized throughout the state."

Two pieces of legislation, S3240 and S3241, that provide more than $500 million for clean water and drinking water projects through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust were signed into law last week. Through the legislation, the NJEIT will provide market-rate loans to local governments and privately-owned water companies for between 25- and 75-percent of project costs.

As part of that funding, two projects in the 16th District will receive a total of $25 million through the Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2018 Clean Water Project Eligibility List. The Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority will receive a total allowable loan of $13.5 million, and Somerville Borough will receive a total allowable loan of $11.5 million.

"This is a great example of our commitment to environmental infrastructure projects that ensure the health and safety of our residents," Senator Bateman said. "Our wastewater and drinking water facilities must be prepared for the demands and challenges of the future."

WWA cosigns letters urging funding for WaterSense program

Tue, 16 May 2017 19:47:43 GMT

This week, the American Water Works (AWWA) cosigned two separate letters addressed to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, asking that he continue funding for the Agency’s WaterSense program. The first letter is under the banner of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, and is signed by 187 organizations, while the second letter , delivered on behalf of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and 62 other organizations. Both letters call for continuing funding for WaterSense, both in any Fiscal Year 2017 spending bills, as well as in any full year Fiscal Year 2018 spending bills.

WaterSense is a voluntary product efficiency labeling program that identifies efficient and high-performing water-consuming products. While EPA spends approximately $3 million a year to administer the program, it has saved consumers more than $33 billion in water and energy bills since the program's inception in 2006. The program is widely supported across the building industry and has enjoyed bipartisan support on Capitol Hill throughout its existence.