2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan

Abstract

New Jersey’s water resources are essential public assets, held in trust for the people by the State Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and critical to the health, safety, economic wellbeing, recreational and aesthetic enjoyment, and general welfare of all New Jersey residents. The State’s 9.3 million residents, $800 billion economy, and diverse ecosystems depend upon a clean, secure, and resilient water supply in order to meet daily needs, expand economic opportunities, enhance standards of living, improve public health, and restore the natural environment. Thus, the New Jersey Legislature, through the Water Supply Management Act (N.J.S.A. 58:1A et. seq), charged the Commissioner and our Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with ensuring that water resources are planned for and managed as a common resource to provide an adequate supply and quality of water for present and future generations of New Jerseyans and to protect the natural environment of the waterways of the State.