The State of New Jersey is at various states of drafting policies that impact the state's water supplies for drinking, the ecology and the economy.

In most cases, strengthening revisions are DECADES overdue. NJ Environmental Federation is pushing for updates and stronger policies that protect our water resources:

• Water Supply Master Plan
• Water Allocation Permit Process
• State Energy Master Plan in the context of climate change
• Water Quality Management Plans
• Designation of Additional "Category 1" Waters
• Renewing the Federal Revolving Loan Program for Water Infrastructure Projects

NJEF is working to ensure the State of New Jersey considers options that include

• Downsizing/rescinding existing water allocation permits
• Expanding beneficial reuse, source water protections and other measures
• Ensuring that water impact considerations are prioritized when making decisions about energy production choices
• Promoting sustainable energy choices and energy conservation and efficiency measures that universally consume significantly less water than centralized generating plants like nuclear and coal

Running Out of Water

Uncontrolled growth and sprawl is moving the state towards complete "build out". According to the New Jersey Clean Water Council, it is anticipated that New Jersey will be in a severe water deficit by 2020.

According to Joseph Maraziti, a former chairman of the State Planning Commission, this is not a future problem; this is a problem we have today. Some local areas of the state are already running dry due to overdevelopment and an inability to recharge ground and surface waters.

Salt Water Intrusion

Coastal areas are starting to see the severe effects of over pumping water and overdeveloping the land. Several years ago, Cape May was forced to build a desalination plant as salt was intruding their freshwater wells. This was the result of over pumping to meet the growing population demands. Keansburg is now considering this as well. These plants create rate shock, utilize tremendous amounts of energy, as well as produce toxic brines that harm aquatic life.

New Jersey needs more sustainable options if we want to ensure our water is safe, plentiful, and affordable in the future.

Sustainable Energy Choices for New Jersey

Future energy choices will have a dramatic impact on the state's water supplies. Currently:

• 35% of New Jersey's water is consumed for power production
• A typical family of four can use 3 times more water to power their home than the combined use of water to drink, bathe and water their lawn
• High water use for New Jersey's power is in part due to the lack of closed loop systems at our nuclear plants.

Water for power could dramatically increase if more nuclear and coal plants are built to meet future energy needs as suggested by New Jersey's Energy Master Plan rather than meeting the energy conservation and efficiency goals of the New Jersey Global Warming Response Act.