Water

Could hackers attack your drinking water?

The July 2026 storms exposed long-standing infrastructure challenges in New Jersey and left residents angrily asking why systems continue to struggle when heavy rain has become increasingly common. Our latest analysis examines how the state's water, transportation and energy systems performed and what the response revealed about the state's infrastructure.

When heavy rain hits cities like Newark, Jersey City and Camden, it can overwhelm century-old sewer systems and send a mixture of stormwater and untreated sewage into nearby waterways. New Jersey has combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls across 21 municipalities, discharging an estimated 23 billion gallons of sewage and stormwater each year.

PFAS have been found in the bodies of an estimated 97 percent of Americans, with research linking exposure to potential health risks. Residents can use NJ’s PFAS mapping tool to check local water quality and take steps to limit exposure.

More than water is wasted when a water main breaks. Businesses lose revenue, treated water goes to waste, and emergency repairs cost more. Here’s a breakdown of the real economic impact of deferred maintenance.

A new kind of water crisis has been unfolding, driven not by visible pollution or failing pipes, but by PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals” found in drinking water across the state. While federal standards lagged for years, New Jersey moved early, building its own testing programs and enforcing strict limits. Read more on how New Jersey became a national leader in the fight against PFAS.

New Jersey’s water story began in crisis: contaminated rivers, cholera outbreaks, and failing private suppliers. Out of that turmoil came reservoirs, treatment plants, and the regional systems we rely on today. Now those systems are aging, and the state faces a new era of hard choices. How we got here, and what comes next.

Every flush tells a story. New Jersey is using wastewater surveillance to track viruses like flu, RSV and COVID-19, often before people even feel sick.

Add Manasquan to the list of municipal water & sewer authorities that are dealing with upgrading aging water & sewer systems. The borough council...

In 1859, Trenton became the first city in New Jersey to own and operate its own municipal water system. Take a look into the past at how a public vote helped lay the foundation for modern water infrastructure in the Garden State.

More than $23.8M in federal funding is headed to Monmouth County to support water quality, storm resilience and public safety infrastructure.

New York State has approved $265M+ in water quality and infrastructure grants to protect drinking water, reduce flooding and modernize aging systems. Investments support 175 projects statewide focused on clean water and climate resiliency.

NJ American Water and The Watershed Institute urge residents and municipalities to use winter road salt responsibly to protect water quality. Simple steps such as shoveling first, using only what you need and spreading salt efficiently can reduce environmental harm.

New York State has approved over $265 million for water quality and infrastructure grants to reduce flooding and improve drinking water systems statewide.

"This blog breaks down what changed, what didn’t, and why it matters for a faster and more efficient distribution of lead pipe funding nationwide."

Frazil ice once again clogged the Trenton Water Works intake, forcing a plant shutdown and water conservation advisory for more than 200,000 customers. Suburban mayors are calling for state intervention and long-term governance changes.