New Jersey

Funding

• Additional priority ranking points are awarded to PWSs with existing asset management plans.
• The DWSRF program finances asset management planning on the condition that it results in a capital improvement project.
• All DWSRF borrowers are required to develop an AM plan including a financial plan for strategic upkeep of assets.

Regulatory

• The Water Quality Accountability Act, P.L. 2017, c. 133 (WQAA), enacted on July 21, 2017, requires public CWSs with more than 500 service connections to routinely perform certain best management practices, including developing asset management plans. Purveyors must create and implement an asset management plan designed to inspect, maintain, repair, and renew its infrastructure, consistent with standards established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Additionally, the WQAA requires annual certification from the highest-ranking official at the water system that an asset management plan has been developed and is being followed.

Assistance

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) is prioritizing training of drinking water systems on asset management and the requirements of the WQAA.
• NJ DEP is prioritizing outreach to drinking water systems on asset management and the requirements of the WQAA. A dedicated webpage about asset management has been developed to provide a central hub for drinking water systems to access more information.
• Technical assistance will be provided to assess the system’s asset management planning activities, identify deficiencies, and recommend improvements, as needed. The Capacity Development Program will also recommend that medium to large-size community water systems which do not already employ asset management tools identify and begin utilizing an asset management program suitable for their needs.
• Several resources have been developed and are available on webpages, including guidance on asset management plan development, FAQ documents, best management practices, and an asset management program checklist.

Other

• NJ DEP staff need regular and ongoing training to provide technical assistance. Training topics must cover Federal and State SDWA regulations, asset management planning requirements and more.

• New Jersey Capacity Development Program: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/dws_loans_capdev.html New Jersey Asset Management Policy Program: https://www.nj.gov/dep/assetmanagement/‍
• Asset Management Technical Guidance Document:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/assetmanagement/pdf/asset-management-plan-guidance.pdf