New Jersey Future Statement on Water Quality Accountability Act Amendments Passed by Assembly

Trenton, May 20, 2021—New Jersey Future Managing Director of Policy and Water Chris Sturm released the following statement on the Assembly’s passage of legislation to amend the Water Quality Accountability Act, teeing it up for final passage by the Senate:

“New Jersey’s Assembly today demonstrated its ongoing commitment to ensuring clean, safe drinking water from reliable, modern water systems. The Water Quality Accountability Act for the first time monitored not just what comes out of the tap, but also the pipes that bring it there.

“The bill that the Assembly passed today, sponsored by Assemblyman McKeon, Assemblyman Karabinchak, and Assemblyman Stanley and water champions Senator Greenstein and Senator Singleton in the Senate, will further strengthen the Water Quality Accountability Act by encouraging 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. An on-line report card will help New Jersey residents understand their water systems and the important role that utility managers play.”