This bill mandates that public water utilities in New Jersey conduct annual water loss audits and report the findings to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It amends the Water Supply Management Act to require water purveyors serving at least 3,300 individuals to complete validated audits within 24 months of the bill's enactment. The audits must be validated by a qualified individual and attested to by the utility's chief financial officer, chief engineer, or general manager. The DEP is responsible for adopting regulations based on the American Water Works Association's guidelines and must establish performance standards for water loss, as well as create a grant program to assist utilities in validating their audit reports.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions related to water loss and requires water purveyors to inform customers about the water loss reported in their audits through annual consumer confidence reports or subsequent bills. It also stipulates that water purveyors subject to the Water Quality Accountability Act must consider their audit findings when prioritizing projects in their asset management plans. A technical advisory committee will be established to aid in the bill's implementation, and the DEP will provide technical assistance on water loss reduction techniques. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance water conservation efforts and improve the management of public water systems in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58:1A-3, 58:1A-9, 58:1A-14, 58:1A-15, 58:31-7