JERSEY CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS) — The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency announced an agreement on Thursday with the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority to upgrade the city's municipal sewer and drinking water systems, reducing pollution discharged into the Hackensack River, Hudson River, and Newark Bay.
Under a modified 11-year-old consent decree, the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority will commit to repairing and upgrading significant portions of its municipal combined sewer system while also expanding the system’s capacity.
It will also upgrade the city’s drinking water system by replacing over 12,000 lead drinking water pipes.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said this will "improve the environment and public health of communities that have long endured a historic and disproportionate burden from pollution."
He added that the DOJ "is committed to protecting the public’s right to clean and healthy water under our nation’s Clean Water Act."
The JCMUA noted the upgrade, which will take an additional 10 years to complete and cost over $1 billion, will benefit communities of color who have faced environmental justice challenges for years.
Officials also acknowledged the environmental achievement of the deal by "incorporating climate change adaptation and resiliency best practices and design measures into its sewer upgrades to ensure its sewer systems are better prepared to withstand severe storms and hurricanes."
"[The] EPA is renewing its commitment to safeguarding underserved and overburdened communities such as Jersey City," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "These and other environmental and health benefits are key to protecting public health."
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