The bill amends existing legislation to empower the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct reformation assessments of water and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems when emergent conditions are identified. It introduces a new definition for "reformation assessment," which is an independent evaluation aimed at examining the current state, performance, and management of these systems to identify pathways for reform. The bill allows public entities to reform, transfer, lease, or sell their water or wastewater assets in response to threats to drinking water or the environment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these systems for public health and environmental protection.

The legislation outlines the process for certifying emergent conditions, which can be done by either the system owner or the DEP. Once such conditions are identified, a reformation assessment must be conducted, and a public hearing must be held to discuss the findings and proposed reformation plan. The bill mandates that the owner publish notices regarding the assessment and proposed actions, ensuring transparency and public involvement. Additionally, the DEP is required to complete the assessment within 12 months and provide a written report, after which the owner has 120 days to propose a responsive reformation plan and hold a public hearing with at least 30 days' notice.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58:30-2, 58:30-3, 58:30-4, 58:30-5, 58:30-6