58:1A-15. Powers and duties

15. The department may:

a. Perform any and all acts and issue such orders as are necessary to carry out the purposes and requirements of P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.);

b. Administer and enforce the provisions of P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.) and rules, regulations and orders adopted, issued or effective thereunder;

c. Present proper identification and then enter upon any land or water for the purpose of making any investigation, examination or survey contemplated by P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.);

d. Subpena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production by them of books and papers pertinent to the investigations and inquiries the department is authorized to make under P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.), and examine them and those public records as shall be required in relation thereto;

e. Order the interconnection of public water supply systems, whether in public or private ownership, whenever the department determines that the public interest requires that this interconnection be made, and require the furnishing of water by means of that system to another system, but no order shall be issued before comments have been solicited at a public hearing, notice of which has been published at least 30 days before the hearing, in one newspaper circulating generally in the area served by each involved public water supply system, called for the purpose of soliciting comments on the proposed action.

f. Order any person diverting water to improve or repair its water supply facilities so that water loss is eliminated so far as practicable, safe yield is maintained and the drinking water quality standards adopted pursuant to the "Safe Drinking Water Act," P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et al.) are met;

g. Enter into agreements, contracts, or cooperative arrangements under such terms and conditions as the department deems appropriate with other states, other State agencies, federal agencies, municipalities, counties, educational institutions, investor-owned water companies, municipal utilities authorities, or other organizations or persons;

h. Receive financial and technical assistance from the federal government and other public or private agencies;

i. Participate in related programs of the federal government, other states, interstate agencies, or other public or private agencies or organizations;

j. Establish adequate fiscal controls and accounting procedures to assure proper disbursement of and accounting for funds appropriated or otherwise provided for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.);

k. Delegate those responsibilities and duties to personnel of the department as deemed appropriate for the purpose of administering the requirements of P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.);

l. Combine permits issued pursuant to P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A-7.3 et al.) with permits issued pursuant to any other act whatsoever whenever that action would improve the administration of those acts;

m. Evaluate and determine the adequacy of ground and surface water supplies and develop methods to protect aquifer recharge areas.

L.1981,c.262,s.15; amended 1993,c.202,s.9.