Livingston Achieves Sustainable Jersey Recertification And More

Livingston was awarded the highest certification in the state this week for its continued efforts to be green and sustainable. 

The township was awarded the Silver-Level Certification by Sustainable Jersey. Only 20 New Jersey communities have attained this status. 

“This year’s Silver-Level Certification is a terrific achievement,” said Mayor Rudy Fernandez. 

“Livingston’s 'living green' efforts benefit from a school district that supports sustainability efforts, a business community sympathetic to environmental issues, and a Township Manager, administration and group of department heads knowledgeable about and committed to environmental sustainability."

This Silver-Level not only distinguishes Livingston as a “green community,” but also makes the township eligible to compete for environmental grant money.

In 2009, Livingston was one of the first 30 municipalities in the state to be Bronze-Level Certified. Then in 2010, Livingston received the Innovation and Creativity Award, which is given for developing community and social capital through a culture of creativity, originality, and innovation.

Livingston received that award for its feasibility study on the beneficial reuse of effluent for things like washing vehicles, irrigation and fire protection. Effluent is the water that has been treated and is then discharged from the Water Pollution Control Facility.  Typically discharged into the Passaic River, the township’s treated water is actually cleaner than the river water it empties into.

Livingston maintained a Bronze-Level Certification through 2011-12, while continuing to work toward being a greener community. 

The efforts that allowed Livingston to attain the Silver-Level Certification this year included: 

• Installation of solar panels at Town Hall, the Senior/Community Center and the Livingston Public Library;
• Health Department’s lead paint educational program;
• Livingston's bicentennial celebration’s bicycle tour of Livingston; and
• Newly revised tree ordinance.

For more information, visit the www.livingstonnj.org or www.sustainablejersey.com.