Stender introduces assembly bill to force water utilities to pay
damages  Walter O'Brien | By Walter O'Brien | The Somerset
Reporter Email the author | Follow on Twitter on December 23,
2012 at 5:26 PM, updated December 24, 2012 at 9:53 AM scotch-
plains-water-main-break.jpg A Scotch Plains water main break in
July 2012    The state legislature will consider a bill forcing
water utilities to reimburse taxpayers for certain damages
caused by utility failures.  Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-22)
introduced Assembly Bill A3443 into the New Jersey legislature
which would require water utilities to cover costs related to
flooding damage under certain circumstances, including a water
main break or leak. The bill is identical to Senate bill S2377
introduced on Monday.  The bill would cover damages from events
such July's New Jersey American Water 48-inch water main break
in Scotch Plains that caused widespread damage in Stender's
district and had water restrictions placed on 17 towns including
Green Brook, Warren, Wa