“Sixty-two thousand homes along New Jersey’s coast will experience chronic flooding by 2050,” said Diane Schrauth, Water Policy Director at New Jersey Future, during the 2025 NJ Planning & Redevelopment Conference (NJPRC). That will be the material reality for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans who will face skyrocketing flood insurance rates, loss of property value, and, eventually, displacement.
Water and Sewer
Navigating New Jersey’s REAL Rules
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025When Water Holds Back Housing: What to Expect from New Jersey’s New State Fiscal Year 2026 Intended Use Plans
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025As New Jersey faces a growing housing crisis, it’s becoming increasingly clear that water infrastructure is more than just a utility concern; it’s a fundamental barrier to equitable development and housing growth.
Farewell Spotlight: Chris Sturm Retires After 23 Years of Championing a Better New Jersey
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025As we bid a fond farewell to Chris Sturm, policy director and longtime advocate at New Jersey Future, we celebrate a legacy of leadership rooted in passion, persistence, and purpose. Chris has been a driving force behind some of New Jersey Future’s most successful initiatives—from promoting equitable water infrastructure to championing great places to live. On her final day, Chris sat down with me to reflect on what she’s most proud of, what she’s learned, and what she hopes for the future.
Clawbacks of Transportation and Green Infrastructure Funding
Thursday, June 19th, 2025Despite New Jersey facing growing flood risks, the federal government is now targeting low-cost solutions like green infrastructure for funding cuts to reduce spending. Green Infrastructure absorbs and slows stormwater runoff, curbs flooding in communities, and reduces the pollution that reaches waterways; however, green infrastructure needs broad implementation to make a difference. The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) previously provided federal funding for projects that incorporated green infrastructure, but staff with the Urban Institute shared a leaked memo revealing new priorities.
A Tale of Two Upbringings and a Shared Vision For a Healthy Environment
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025Our formative years and lived experiences are vastly different. One of us is a first-generation immigrant, and the other is a second-generation immigrant, both of whom call this state their home. We both bring distinctly different cultural lenses and identities, yet we have shared passions and values for creating a healthy environment for everyone in NJ.
More Than Mailers: Keys to Effective Outreach and Communication for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) in New Jersey Communities
Tuesday, April 1st, 2025New Jersey Future’s Funding Navigator team has developed expertise in supporting water systems and municipal leaders in navigating the complexities of lead service line replacement (LSLR) funding, outreach, and communication. Meanwhile, the Jersey Water Works Lead Service Line Implementation Work Group and Lead-Free New Jersey address the technical and logistical aspects of LSLR. Effective communication and community outreach are critical aspects of a successful LSLR program. In this blog, we’ll highlight key strategies and best practices for communication and outreach that can improve participation rates and build customer trust.
Breaking the Barrier to Water Infrastructure Funding
Friday, March 14th, 2025The New Jersey Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) are critical financial resources that can provide a variety of funding and financing options, including principal forgiveness and low-interest loans, to support water infrastructure improvements across the state.
Debt is Not a Bad Word: Funding New Jersey’s Infrastructure through Smart Financing
Tuesday, February 18th, 2025Municipalities face a tricky balancing act when it comes to infrastructure improvements: they need to address large, costly projects but have limited resources to fund them. Historically, issuing debt has been the primary means that municipalities are left with to finance critical improvements. However, municipal leaders are reluctant to be the ones responsible for issuing debt, while utilities and public systems are often hesitant to raise rates to cover project costs.
Breaking Down the State Revolving Fund – Recommendations and Changes
Monday, December 2nd, 2024Over the next 20 years, the United States must spend $625 billion to fix, maintain, and improve water infrastructure. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, New Jersey alone will need to spend at least $12,252,800,000 on drinking water infrastructure and $19,352,000,000 on clean water infrastructure over the next 20 years to make all necessary improvements and repairs.
Sustainable and Cost-Efficient: Implementing a Dig-Once Policy in Trenton
Friday, August 30th, 2024Funding, funding, funding–the chorus frequently heard at the inception of almost every community improvement project. Financing remains one of the largest obstacles to infrastructure improvements.