Many cities throughout New Jersey are becoming more attune to the recommendations and benefits of sewer sustainable initiatives. Cities such as Newark, Camden, and Trenton have been awarded green bonds, or funding, to exhibit conscientiousness toward the need for green infrastructures. The state has recently issued infrastructure bonds as “green bonds” to promote and amplify its commitment to financing water quality infrastructure projects that enhance water resources and protect public health. Residents of communities across the state are doing their part by volunteering their time and energies in order to clean up local shorelines, rivers and creeks in the New York-New Jersey harbor estuary. Additionally, municipalities are participating in a certification program to promote water infrastructure best practices. Municipalities will be able to receive points for conducting a water loss audit, developing a green infrastructure plan and installing green infrastructure practices within their municipalities. A workshop dedicated to educating on this initiative will be scheduled for early February. A review of the new water infrastructure actions within the certification program will take place concurrently.
The city of Hoboken has also recently announced its plan to develop the first Capital Improvement Plan- for intermediate and longer-term investments- in its water distribution system. The Improvement Plan will provide a well-planned approach that optimizes the funding required to maintain water systems in a state of good repair. The city will evaluate and recommend options for managing Hoboken’s water infrastructure and develop a sustainable financial implementation strategy.
More strategies close to home: Thomas Edison State University is helping develop a Water Infrastructure Committee of their own. Specifically, as an objective to improve the water infrastructure systems in urban communities. The primary goal of the Water Infrastructure Committee will be to foster awareness regarding combined sewer overflows, as well as identify funding sources and best practices in the management of aging water infrastructures.
