New Jersey Future Statement on Passage of Critical Drinking Water Bills

Trenton, June 22, 2021— New Jersey Future Managing Director of Policy and Water Chris Sturm released the following statement on the Legislature’s passage of legislation to amend the Water Quality Accountability Act (S647) and legislation to require the replacement of lead service lines (S3398):

“New Jersey is moving to a leadership position in its effort to ensure clean, safe drinking water from reliable, modern water systems through the Legislature’s passage of Senator Greenstein and Senator Singleton’s S647, which would strengthen the Water Quality Accountability Act, and Senator Singleton, Senator Gopal, and Senator Greenstein’s S3398, which would require water utilities to replace all lead service lines within 10 years.

The lead service line replacement bill is a revolutionary step forward in making New Jersey lead-free. Through this legislation, New Jersey will be on track to be the first state in the country to achieve replacement of lead service lines in 10 years, and enable us to put to bed the longstanding public health threat of lead in drinking water.

The Water Quality Accountability Act bill will encourage proactive investment in water systems through detailed asset management plans and cybersecurity plans, strengthening requirements for reporting on capital budgets and expenditures, and requiring reporting for emergency repairs, routine maintenance, and 10-year capital needs—efforts that will significantly improve the quality of our tap water and the infrastructure systems that provide it, and increase transparency for consumers.

Both of these bills advance the priorities of the Jersey Water Works collaborative, of which New Jersey Future is a member, and are essential for ensuring that New Jerseyans have safe, clean drinking water.”