In accordance with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell's Administrative Order No. 2002-05, the department has begun approving Drought Reuse Authorization requests made by Domestic Treatment Works (DTW). These authorizations allow wastewater effluent, that is normally discharged to a receiving stream or to the ocean, to be reused in a limited capacity. The reuse of wastewater aids in the conservation of our limited fresh water supplies.

To date, the department has approved over 60 requests to reuse water for activities such as street sweeping, sanitary sewer jetting, and roadside watering. The approvals require DTW's effluent to meet NJPDES permitted standards, along with other special conditions that ensure safety for restricted access use. The department encourages other DTWs, that have not yet participated in the Drought Reuse Water Program, to request a Wastewater Reuse Authorization. This will help the State to conserve water, which has become particularly precious during the current drought conditions.

For more information regarding the Reuse Program, please contact Ben Manhas or Joe Mannick, Watershed Permitting Element, at (609) 633-3869 or by e-mail at DWQWEB@dep.state.nj.us.