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Request a Pre-application Meeting

Prior to considering an application under WIPA, please set up a pre-application meeting.

Send the meeting request to WIPA@deptest.nj.gov

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_column_text]WIPA stands for the Water Infrastructure Protection Act, Act, N.J.S.A. 58:30-1 et seq., (the “Act”). It was passed by the New Jersey Legislature in 2015.  The Act authorizes certain owners of water or wastewater systems to enter a long-term lease contract or sell their water or wastewater assets to a capable private or public entity, without a referendum, if Emergent Conditions exist.  In order to qualify for WIPA consideration, an owner must demonstrate the existence of at least one of the five Emergent Conditions specified by the Act.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Who qualifies for the WIPA process?

Any municipality:

  • With a population less than 270,000, and
  • That owns water or wastewater assets.

Municipalities constituting a joint meeting, and the joint meeting itself do not qualify for the WIPA process.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”5″ accent_color=”#336699″ el_id=”emergent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What is an Emergent Condition?

WIPA identifies five emergent conditions of which at least one must be met for a municipality to qualify for the WIPA process:

  • Emergent Condition #1 – the system is located in an Area of Critical Water Supply Concern I or II, or any Consultation with other agencies as needed.
  • Emergent Condition #2 – the system is a significant noncomplier, as defined pursuant to the Water Pollution Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq., the system has been the subject of a formal enforcement action initiated by the Department or is substantially out of compliance with an administrative consent order, settlement agreement, or has entered a stipulation of settlement or judicial consent order with the Department;
  • Emergent Condition #3 – there is a present deficiency or violation of maximum contaminant levels established pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-1 et seq., concerning the availability or potability of water, or concerning the provision of water at adequate volume or pressure, or distribution or treatment of wastewater;
  • Emergent Condition #4 – there is a demonstrated lack of historical investment, repair, or sustainable maintenance as determined by the Department, or material damage to the infrastructure of the system; or
  • Emergent Conditions #5 – the system lacks the financial, technical, or managerial capacity to adequately address any of the foregoing on a sustainable basis or own and operate the system in a way that supports economic activity in the municipality on a sustainable basis.

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Questions?

WIPA@deptest.nj.gov[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]