Environment (Water Quality) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3760: Requires DEP to establish maximum contaminant level for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set a maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion for hexavalent chromium (chromium-VI) in drinking water. It directly affects public water systems, with deadlines varying by system size: large systems (10,000+ connections) must comply within 2 years, mid-sized systems (1,000-9,999 connections) within 3 years, and small systems (<1,000 connections) within 4 years after the bill takes effect. The bill does not change existing limits for total chromium but explicitly prohibits hexavalent chromium from exceeding 10 ppb. The DEP may adopt stricter standards later if recommended by the Drinking Water Quality Institute.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2016: Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

This bill requires public water suppliers in New Jersey to immediately notify local governments and schools whenever a serious drinking water violation occurs under federal EPA rules. Specifically, suppliers must contact municipal officials and school administrators (including charter schools, nonpublic schools, and colleges) via phone and email within the affected area. The notification must detail the contaminant, test results, locations of violations, and suggested remedies for affected customers. It applies to all public water systems and ensures transparency about water safety issues impacting communities and educational institutions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1777: 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 develop a comprehensive State Water Infrastructure Investment Plan every five years. The plan must estimate annual and long-term funding needs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, identify revenue sources, prioritize projects (including environmental justice communities), and incorporate climate resilience strategies. It also mandates the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to publish additional details about water infrastructure projects and appropriates $200,000 to support these efforts. The bill directly affects state agencies, water systems, and communities relying on public water infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Environmental Justice Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3906: Establishes State purchasing preference for pervious pavement material; provides CBT tax credit to certain taxpayers that purchase pervious pavement material for municipal, county, or State construction or improvement projects.

This bill (A 3906) requires New Jersey state agencies to apply a price discount (up to 5%) to bids for asphalt or concrete when using pervious pavement materials on public construction projects. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a stormwater management hierarchy ranking materials by their ability to reduce runoff and filter contaminants. Taxpayers purchasing pervious pavement for municipal, county, or state projects can claim a credit against certain taxes. The bill directly affects state agencies, contractors working on public projects, and businesses selling these materials, aiming to promote environmentally beneficial paving through procurement incentives and tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Water Quality Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2621: Establishes Municipal Flood Management Assistance Program in DEP.

This bill creates a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help municipalities address flood risks. It provides funding for flood risk assessments, mitigation projects (like dikes, weirs, permeable pavements, and stormwater basins), emergency preparedness training, and public education about flood hazards. Municipalities in greatest need, particularly overburdened communities, will receive priority for grants to implement structural and non-structural flood solutions. The DEP will manage applications, set criteria, and require grantees to report on fund use and program effectiveness annually.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 126: Establishes Office of River Maintenance in DEP; repeals P.L.1993, c.376 concerning stream cleaning activities.

This bill creates a new Office of River Maintenance within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee all stream cleaning and bank restoration projects statewide. The office will replace the previous system under P.L.1993, c.376, and must follow strict environmental rules - including protecting "Category one waters" (like trout streams and park-adjacent waters) and coordinating with agencies for endangered species or wetlands. Projects must avoid altering stream beds beyond historical levels, preserve shading vegetation, and comply with existing wetlands and flood control laws. The bill directly affects DEP operations and any entities conducting stream or bank work, requiring all such projects to be managed through this new office.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Parks & Recreation Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3081: Requires DEP to establish program to map stormwater infrastructure.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program mapping all stormwater infrastructure - including culverts, drains, and underground pipes - using drone and LIDAR technology. It directly affects DEP, counties, and municipalities, especially older communities with outdated or missing records of aging infrastructure. The DEP must prioritize vulnerable areas, store all collected data in a central database accessible to relevant agencies, and submit annual progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. The goal is to improve flood prevention, emergency response, and infrastructure planning by replacing incomplete records with accurate, modern maps.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3079: Establishes "Smart Stormwater Sensor Pilot Program" in DEP; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates a three-year "Smart Stormwater Sensor Pilot Program" funded by a $1 million appropriation to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It allows counties and municipalities to apply for grants to install smart sensors in storm drains and flood-prone infrastructure, which monitor real-time water levels and send flood alerts to residents and agencies. Local governments must submit detailed applications showing flood risk history and response plans before receiving grants. The DEP will report annually on the program's effectiveness, including sensor performance, geographic distribution, and recommendations for potential expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1589: Designates Earth Day week each year as Litter Law Enforcement Week for special effort to enforce littering laws.

This bill designates the week containing Earth Day (April 22) each year as "Litter Law Enforcement Week" in New Jersey. During this week, the Department of Environmental Protection and State Police must prioritize enforcing state littering laws (including specific statutes on illegal dumping and littering in public spaces), while encouraging local law enforcement to join the effort. Fines collected from littering violations during this period must be split equally into three state funds: the Clean Communities Program Fund (for public litter removal), the Coastal Protection Trust Fund (for beach cleanups), and the Municipal Stormwater Fund (for litter control at stormwater sites). Municipalities and counties can also choose to donate their collected fines to these funds.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1255: Requires BPU to adopt regulations allowing wastewater utilities to impose wastewater system improvement charge.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules allowing wastewater utilities to charge customers a specific "wastewater system improvement charge." The charge would cover costs for rehabilitating, improving, or replacing aging wastewater infrastructure, such as pipes and treatment facilities. It directly affects wastewater utilities (like municipal sewer systems) and their customers who pay for wastewater services. The rules would mirror existing regulations already in place for water utilities (N.J.A.C.14:9-10.1 et seq.), enabling similar cost recovery for wastewater infrastructure needs. The goal is to accelerate repairs to deteriorating systems by providing a clear funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

All environment bills