Assemblyman McKeon: Bipartisan lawmakers will meet Wednesday in Trenton to discuss a broad range of approaches to avoid a looming water infrastructure crisis.
By John F. McKeon
New Jersey's drinking water infrastructure is rapidly approaching the end of its useful life. Of the state's largest utility's 8,700 miles of pipeline, over half was installed between 1870 and 1960, and 15 percent of the pipes are between 100 and 140 years old.
In less than 10 years, the majority will have reached their reasonably expected life span.
Failure to replace these lines could result in an unreliable supply of safe drinking water; increased service interruptions; insufficient water flow; and more frequent and costly emergency repairs.
These are not just potential future problems. In Hoboken, consultants found that some of the city's water system pipes were put into place in 1857, 1869, and 1897. Since 2000, the city has experienced an average of 20 water main breaks per year. A pressure change caused by one main break can cause additional breaks elsewhere. Main breaks have led to road detours, water boil advisories and inadequate water pressure for nearby residents and businesses.
In addition, as water infrastructure ages, the amount of water that is lost to leakage rises substantially. On average, New Jersey water suppliers lose 22 percent of treated water annually. Some suppliers have reported losing as much as 33 percent, and an audit of one municipality found that 45 percent of its drinking water could not be accounted for -- a rate akin to that of cities in developing countries.
Leaks raise water prices for everyone. Moreover, wasted water is a serious issue in the northern part of the state. Last week, watchdog groups called on the Gov. Chris Christie to declare a drought emergency for northern and central New Jersey after the state's largest reservoir fell to its lowest level ever recorded.
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates that New Jersey will require an investment of $7.96 billion by 2027 to cover improvements needed to continue to provide reliably safe water to the public.
That is a staggering sticker price. However, the state's economic vitality depends on our ability to deliver water safely. Our urban areas and their surrounding towns are growing faster than ever before. These areas will harbor 20 percent of the state's population and employment growth over the next 30 years.
Of course, this assumes that infrastructure will be able to accommodate these new residents and businesses.
There isn't an easy fix for this complex and expansive challenge. A bicameral, bipartisan committee of lawmakers is meeting in Trenton on Wednesday to discuss a broad range of approaches. My co-chair on the Joint Legislative Task Force on Water Infrastructure, State Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), has noted
the first hurdle will be getting a better understanding of priorities.
If there is a crisis with our water infrastructure, the crisis is in our lack of knowledge. There is no comprehensive data system or report for understanding the current status of utility improvement plans.
The legislative task force plans to generate consensus on how good or bad our systems are. The next step will be crafting viable financing options, in a responsible manner, for the most pressing projects.
John F. McKeon (D-Essex and Morris) is a New Jersey Assemblyman. He is the author of the 2004 Highlands Preservation Act, and serves as co-chairman of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure.
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