Water Quality & Access

 

We have a sacred duty to hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of her most vulnerable populations. To do this, we must explicitly listen to the perspectives of people of color, Indigenous people and people in communities with environmental justice concerns. All people, regardless of race, income bracket, or nation of origin, must be treated with fairness and equity. This also requires that all people are engaged actively in the decision making processes concerning resources necessary for life: air, water and food.

Visit our Calls to Action page for relevant, timely advocacy activities.

 

Current Campaigns

Water and Public Health

Environmental Justice Advisory Council

The NJ Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NJEJAC) provides a valuable forum for discussions about integrating Environmental Justice into Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) programs, policies, and activities. Waterspirit’s Rachel Dawn Davis has been serving as a representative of faith-based organizations since June 2025.

 

Keyport

Waterspirit has been monitoring reports of a suspected cancer cluster possibly linked to the inactive Keyport Sanitary Landfill at the Aeromarine Industrial Park. This is an evolving situation and updated information is being posted to the related NJDEP’s dedicated website.

The Right to Water

New Jersey Green Amendment

When we think about guaranteed constitutional rights, such as free speech and religion, why do we not have the right to clean air, clean water, a stable climate and healthy environments? Inspired by its simplicity for the benefit of all generations, we have been working to pass a New Jersey Green Amendment, nearing the majority of sponsors in the Assembly and Senate. The world is watching the Green Amendment movement. With majority support of New Jerseyans and legislators alike, we are seeing SCR43/ACR119 move through the legislature. Check out Waterspirit’s Campaign Brief & get involved.

  1. Tune into this recorded Press Conference from March 5, 2026.

  2. Take in this recorded webinar Faith Traditions Uniting In Support of a NJ Green Amendment, September 17, 2024

  3. Maya K. van Rossum was featured at the September 2023 Tri-County Sustainability general meeting.

  4. New Jersey and other states vying for the Green Amendment by connecting with the Green Amendment App here!

 

Water Privatization

Water is a fundamental human right, yet for too many communities—especially those in marginalized areas—access to clean, affordable water is under threat. The privatization of water resources is one of the most pressing challenges we face today. When water is treated as a commodity to be bought and sold, it undermines communities' ability to control their own water supplies and leads to higher costs, lower quality, and a lack of accountability. For more information about water privatization implications, here is our related Privatization Awareness campaign brief.

 

HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER

Waterspirit works at the United Nations to promote the human right to water and Sustainable Development Goal 6. Learn more about our United Nations actions on this page.

WAter Affordability

NJ Poor People’s Campaign

Waterspirit is a member of the NJ Poor People’s Campaign, part of a national Poor People’s Campaign, a moral fusion movement led by the poor to advance an agenda that responds to the urgent needs of the more than 140 million poor and low-wealth individuals in the USA. A core part of their policy demands includes climate justice and water affordability.

 

Drinking Water Coalition

Waterspirit is a member of the Drinking Water Coalition New Jersey. Our state’s drinking water is facing a crisis due to the history of manufacturing and industrial bases in New Jersey. Contaminants are showing up in water that are detrimental to the health of consumers. The DWCNJ is here to put a stop to this problem.

 

Emerging Coalitions

Waterspirit is working with an emerging coalition of local government, nonprofit representatives, water industry professionals and passionate individuals to create tangible water affordability solutions for all NJ residents.

Water Pollution

Clean water is a fundamental human right and a sacred gift. Yet, our waterways are increasingly threatened by toxic pollutants like lead, PFAS, PFOA, synthetic turf and plastics. These contaminants endanger public health, harm ecosystems, and disproportionately affect marginalized, overburdened communities.

Lead

We are committed to protecting NJ and NY waterways from these pollutants through strong advocacy and action. As part of the Lead Free New Jersey coalition, Waterspirit is helping to grow this effort. Knowledge is power! Join us in the fight for safe, clean water for all. Check our Public Policy & Justice Organizer speaking on a webinar: Grasping at Straws: Policy Solutions for Safe Drinking Water.

 

Plastics

Increasingly, research is demonstrating the prevalence of plastics in our oceans is making its way into our bodies through consistently ingesting microplastics. To protect the health and longevity of humans, wildlife and ecosystems alike, it is vital to eliminate plastic at its source. Waterspirit has supported campaigns for extended producer responsibility, ensuring plastic producers pay for related clean up. Waterspirit is proud to have helped pass resolutions toward support of a bill, now state law in NJ, to “Skip the Stuff”—eliminating single-use cutlery, reducing plastic waste in our waterways. Waterspirit is a member of the Plastic Pollution Coalition and monitors local waterways for microplastics, educating community members about the risks and impacts of plastic as well as alternatives.

 

PFAS

PFAS, PFOA (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances are dubbed “forever chemicals” as they are highly toxic synthetic chemicals which pollute water and accumulate in our bodies. Waterspirit is participating in the PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Committee, organized by the Jersey Water Works collaborative.

Water and Biodiversity

United NAtions Biodiversity Work

Waterspirit works in coalition at the United Nations to promote marine and freshwater biodiversity. Learn more about our recent work on our United Nations page.

 

Seal Monitoring

Waterspirit contributes to our regional seal monitoring project, sponsored by Save Coastal Wildlife. Public seal monitoring sessions are scheduled from January to March. Please check our Events Calendar for registration.