The New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is currently conducting the 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (or CWNS).  The LRWP encourages all Lower Raritan communities to participate so as to collect information about wastewater infrastructure, stormwater – grey and green infrastructure, and non-point source pollution control projects, including the needs for decentralized wastewater (or septic) systems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), in partnership with the State of New Jersey and other states, surveys communities every four years to identify any water quality or public health-based capital needs (up to 20 years) and costs in your community.  The results are published in a Report to Congress, and it is used by Congress and state legislatures in their budgeting efforts.

The CWNS data are also used to help measure environmental progress, contribute to academic research, provide information to the public, and help local and state governments implement water quality programs.  This data can influence the allocation of SRF funds and future special federal grants or funding programs.  The CWNS is your best opportunity to let our decision-makers better understand the financial challenges you face in implementing your wastewater, stormwater management, and NPS pollution control programs.

To participate in the survey, first identify any water quality or public health-based capital needs (up to 20 years) and costs in your community that were not funded by January 1, 2022.  Then, submit these community needs by completing the online survey form and uploading any supporting documentation describing your community’s new needs and costs.

CWNS online webpage registration and login instructions:

1)      Go to https://www.h2loans.com/public/needs-survey/login

2)     For your initial usage, please click on the “Click here to Register” button.

3)     After your registration is complete, enter your e-mail and click “Log-In.”

4)     A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you with a link that takes you to the needs survey page showing thelist of all your surveys.

5)     To create a new survey, click the “Start New Survey” button.

6)     You must submit any open survey before you may create another.

Please submit the survey with your community needs and supporting documents by May 31, 2022.

If you have any questions about the CWNS or need assistance in filling out the form, NJDEP will provide technical support.  If you have identified your needs but lack the supporting cost documentation, NJDEP staff can provide alternative means of documenting these costs or assist you by using a cost estimation tool.  Please contact Ketan Patel or Kyle Carlson at 609-292-3114 or e-mail at NJCWNS22@dep.nj.gov.