Environment (Drinking Water) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1771: Directs DCA to establish grant programs for public water systems.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create two grant programs using federal infrastructure funds. It specifically targets small public water systems (under 500 service connections) to fund operational improvements like leak detection, asset mapping, and infrastructure upgrades, and to establish data-sharing systems for water quality and cybersecurity information. Grant recipients must use funds for concrete projects such as developing asset inventories, deploying leak detection technology, or building data hubs for sharing water system data. The DCA must publish application rules within six months and submit annual reports detailing all funded projects to the Governor and Legislature within three years.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 28: Strongly urges DEP to adopt standards for certain drinking water contaminants as recommended by NJ Drinking Water Quality Institute.

SCR 28 is a concurrent resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt drinking water standards for 14 contaminants recommended by the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI). It specifically references contaminants like perchlorate (used in explosives), radon-222 (a radioactive carcinogen), and formaldehyde (used in embalming), which the DWQI has recommended since 2005-2009 but the DEP has not adopted. The resolution highlights that the DEP has not acted on these recommendations despite the 1983 Safe Drinking Water Act requiring it to establish standards for such contaminants. This resolution has no legal force but formally requests the DEP consider these science-based standards to protect public health.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Public Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1251: Requires certain water purveyors to identify, and use, alternative water supply source when perfluoralkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances exceed maximum contaminant levels.

This bill requires New Jersey public community water systems to create and submit a plan within 120 days identifying an alternative water source to use immediately if perfluoralkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels exceed state-established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). It directly affects municipal water providers serving residents, mandating they switch to the pre-identified backup source upon detecting PFAS exceedances in their supply. The key mechanism is the mandatory pre-planning and immediate action requirement when PFAS limits are breached, bypassing standard Safe Drinking Water Act procedures during such events. This applies to all public community water systems in the state, with the goal of ensuring continuous safe water access during contamination events.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 608: "Water Resources Protection Trust Fund Act"; establishes user fee on water consumption and diversion; utilizes fee revenue for water quality, supply, and infrastructure projects.

S 608, the Water Resources Protection Trust Fund Act, requires public water systems and large commercial/industrial users to pay a fee based on their water consumption or diversion (e.g., taking water from rivers or aquifers not returned to the source). Revenue from this fee will fund projects to improve water quality, supply reliability, and aging infrastructure, such as repairing broken pipes, reducing leaks, and addressing lead contamination in drinking water systems. The bill directly affects entities operating public water systems (serving 15+ connections) and businesses with significant water use. It creates a dedicated funding stream to address New Jersey's deteriorating water resources and infrastructure, replacing reliance on insufficient existing funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 660: Provides FY 2024 supplemental appropriations to, and establishes "Drinking Water Emergency Response Fund" in, DEP; appropriates $6.85 million to fund and various divisions of DEP.

This bill creates the "Drinking Water Emergency Response Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appropriating $1 million from the General Fund to establish this nonlapsing (renewable) fund. The fund directly affects the DEP and publicly owned drinking water systems by providing resources for emergency responses to unexpected contamination events, such as chemical spills, water contamination incidents, or harmful algal blooms. Key provisions allow the fund to cover both DEP-led emergency efforts and direct financial support to public water systems for similar emergencies. The bill also includes additional FY2024 supplemental appropriations totaling $5.85 million for specific DEP divisions, including $2 million for water supply operations and $1.45 million for park management, to support new staff salaries.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics State Budget Drinking Water Parks & Recreation Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1223: Requires landlords of certain properties providing child care services who refuse lead service line replacements to install and maintain water filters.

This bill requires landlords of properties used for child care services (such as daycares, after-school programs, or preschools caring for six or more children under 13) to install and maintain NSF/ANSI-certified water filters at all drinking, food prep, and baby formula fixtures if they refuse access to replace lead service lines. Landlords must annually certify filter installation to the Department of Environmental Protection and face $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Tenants can notify landlords of violations, triggering a 30-day correction period, after which they may seek court-ordered rent escrow to fund required filter installation. The requirement applies only if lead service lines remain connected and active.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2468: Requires DEP to designate municipalities with critical headwaters as headwater guardians.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify and designate municipalities with "critical headwaters" (water sources supplying drinking water to at least 1 million residents, per census data) as "headwater guardians." These municipalities must implement specific environmental protections like enhanced stormwater management, groundwater recharge standards, and riparian buffers to safeguard water quality and supply. The DEP must develop this process within one year, publish designated municipalities online, and hold public comment periods before finalizing protections. Annual reports will track outcomes like pollutant reductions and preserved buffers, aligning with existing water quality laws.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1257: Requires institutions of higher education to test for lead in drinking water annually, report test results, and install lead filters or treatment devices.

This bill requires all New Jersey institutions of higher education to test every drinking water outlet (like fountains and faucets) for lead annually, beginning 90 days after the law takes effect. Institutions must report results to state education and environmental officials, post findings online, and notify students/faculty within 30 days of testing. If lead levels exceed EPA or state standards, schools must immediately close affected outlets, provide alternative water, and install certified lead-removing filters or treatment devices in all buildings containing lead pipes or fixtures. The law mandates these filters be maintained per manufacturer guidelines to ensure ongoing safety.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1179: Makes supplemental appropriation of $12 million to Village of Ridgewood for drinking water infrastructure improvements related to per- and poly-fluoralkyl substance pollution.

S 1179 allocates $12 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Village of Ridgewood for drinking water infrastructure upgrades addressing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) pollution. This directly affects Ridgewood Water, a public water system serving over 60,000 residents across Ridgewood, Midland Park, Glen Rock, and Wyckoff. The bill provides supplemental funding to cover costs of PFAS-related infrastructure improvements, avoiding the need for the water department to impose significant rate increases on its customers. The funding is added to the state's 2024 annual appropriations act and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Drinking Water Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1208: Directs DEP to develop State water infrastructure investment plan; requires NJ Infrastructure Bank to publish additional information about water infrastructure projects; appropriates $200,000 to NJ Infrastructure Bank.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a comprehensive State Water Infrastructure Investment Plan every five years, detailing funding needs and strategies for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. It mandates the DEP to consult with stakeholders, include public input through comment periods and meetings, and address priorities like environmental justice and climate resilience. The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank must publish additional project information and receives $200,000 to support these requirements. The plan directly affects all municipalities and water utilities across New Jersey by establishing a statewide strategy for infrastructure investment and funding coordination.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Environmental Justice Water Quality

All environment bills