Project

NJ I-Bank Water Infrastructure News (WIN): Bergen County UA receives $7,808,625 in Water Bank loans saving ratepayers approximately $1,877,105.

 Bergen County Utilities Authority (“BCUA”) recently completed clean water improvements through two projects that are being financed with approximately $7.8 million in loans from the New Jersey Water Bank, a low-rate funding program jointly administered by the DEP and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (“I-Bank”). Including interest cost savings, total savings for both projects are estimated to be $1,877,105 over the 30-year term of the loan or 24% of the total project cost. In addition, these projects created an estimated 94 direct construction jobs.

Both projects replaced essential components of the wastewater treatment system that services forty-seven municipalities and a portion of five non-member municipalities.  The first project rehabilitated 16 final settling tanks at the Little Ferry Water Pollution Control Facility. Many of the system’s basic components which were constructed in the 1950s and ‘60s, had deteriorated and needed to be replaced, including effluent weir plates, cross connecting troughs, malfunctioning rotating scum skimmers and sluice gates.

The second project replaced aeration tank headers ensuring effective air flow distribution and centralizing multiple connections in the basin. This project was initiated in response to a study that identified corrosion which produced holes through the welded steel air header pipes rendering them inoperable.

According to Bergen County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Germaine M. Ortiz, “We support our Utility Authority for its dedication to efficiency by diligently replacing components as needed. These projects ultimately benefit public health and the environment, positively impacting the quality of life for our residents. We also applaud the BCUA for strategically financing these projects through the NJ Water Bank resulting in savings for our ratepayers.”

These projects were designed by Arcadis Engineering. The final settling tanks restoration was constructed by Tomar Construction and the air header pipes were replaced by Rapid Pump & Meter Service Company.