State Water Supply Management in New Jersey

Abstract

In New Jersey, existing water supply problems involve water availability during droughts and other emergencies, contamination, especially of ground water, and institutional problems. A drought occurred in 1980, just as the new Water Supply Master Plan was completed; and a large bond issue was approved, together with statutes greatly strengthening the State's authority for water supply management. As a consequence, the State has a very advanced water supply planning, regulatory and management program, which includes both positive and negative incentives to follow State guidance. To date, the State has built and manages only three water supply projects, and the Federal government, none. Thus, the greater part of new development and of system rehabilitation, is carried out by the 620 public water supply systems of the State (many of which are privately owned). New Jersey policy emphasizes management and problem‐solving. Feasibility planning, backed up by regulatory requirements to provide an adequate standard of service, encourages local initiative. Low interest loans, rather than grants, are used to encourage high priority programs such as remedial work in contaminated well fields.