58:26-2. Findings, determinations

The Legislature finds that the construction, rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of modern and efficient water filtration facilities are essential to protecting and improving the State's water quality; that many of the water filtration systems in New Jersey must be replaced or upgraded if an inexorable decline in water quality is to be avoided during the coming decades; that the citizens of this State, in recognition of the crucial role the construction of new and the upgrading of existing water supply facilities play in maintaining and augmenting the natural water resources of the State, and with an understanding that the cost of financing and constructing these systems is beyond the limited financial resource capabilities of local governments and authorities and must be borne by the bonding authority of the State and repaid, in part, through a system of water supply user charges, approved the enactment of the "Water Supply Bond Act of 1981" (P.L. 1981, c. 261); that the water filtration needs of the State are so great that the limited funds allocated for this purpose from the "Water Supply Fund" established by that 1981 bond act are insufficient; that given this inadequate present level of State funding, alternative methods of financing the construction of new or the rehabilitation of antiquated or inadequate existing water filtration systems must be developed and encouraged; that one alternative method of financing these necessary facilities available to local government units consists of contracting with private-sector firms for the financing, construction and operation of these systems; and that for some local government units, contracting for the provision of water supply services, if done in such a way as to protect the interests of water users and to conform with environmentally sound water quality standards will constitute an appropriate method of securing these needed water filtration systems. The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to establish a comprehensive procedure designed to authorize local government units to contract with private firms for the construction of water filtration systems and the provision of water supply services. L. 1985, c. 37, s. 2, eff. Feb. 1, 1985.