April 4, 2019
Public meetings kicked off in March in several municipalities on the solutions being considered to stop sewage overflows and sewer backups. What are the alternatives that are being considered?


On July 1, 2019, municipalities and utilities with combined sewer systems will submit reports on the solutions that they are considering to stop sewage overflows. Are the residents in your community informed about the impacts of sewage overflows? Has there been an opportunity to provide input into the plans that are being developed? Their costs? And the benefits or impacts the plans will have on your community?

Make sure that there is a public conversation on the solutions being evaluated to stop sewage overflows. Ask your town or utility to work with local groups and leaders to organize public meetings that are accessible and engage the public in a conversation on the impacts of combined sewer overflows and the solut ions being considered .
An update on the public meetings hosted by Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission's Clean Waterways, Healthy Neighborhoods initiative, to review options for reducing sewage overflows in the commission's service area. Learn more.
Newark People’s Assembly, a new initiative launched by the city, is hosting a series of town-hall meetings -- two in each of the city's five wards -- to discuss alternative ways to solve the stormwater and sewage overflow issues in the City of Newark. Learn more.
The Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers campaign seeks to fund partner organizations to conduct public outreach and education in targeted communities to educate families and small businesses on the impacts of combined sewer overflows, opportunities for community input in the development of solutions, and the benefits of green infrastructure Application deadline is April 15 . Download the RFP .
Download and use these social media graphics to help spread the word about the Sewage-Free campaign.
Use this sample email text to invite community organizations working in CSO communities to join the Sewage-Free campaign.
Find more information about the campaign and resources on the  Sewage Free Streets and Rivers website

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Upcoming Events
When: April 4 @ 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: P.S. # 28, 167 Hancock St., Jersey City

The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority is hosting a series of community informational sessions to educate Jersey City residents about the sewer system and the effects of sewage overflows, and to discuss alternative solutions.
When: April 11 @ 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Hawkins Street School, 8 Hawkins St., Newark

A community gathering to discuss flooding issues in the City of Newark.
When: April 17 @ 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Caucus Room #204, Jersey City City Hall, 280 Grove St., Jersey City

A town hall-style discussion of climate-change impacts on Hudson County, featuring local residents, grassroots groups, environmental nonprofits and local officials.
About This Campaign
Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers is an action-oriented campaign that empowers community organizations to engage residents and small business owners to shape the  solutions  that will be adopted in July 2020 to reduce localized flooding and the raw sewage dumped into our waterways. is organized by its  partners  and an  advisory board , with the support of  New Jersey Future .
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