ATLANTIC COUNTY UTILITIES AUTHORITY FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM

The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) recently completed wastewater treatment plant improvements that are being funded with $296,150 in loans from the NJ Water Bank, a joint low-rate funding program of the DEP and the NJ I-Bank. This project qualified for principal forgiveness totaling $55,711 as it improved resilience for future storms. Including interest cost savings, total savings for this project are estimated to be $95,926 over the 13-year term of the loan or 32% of the total project cost. 

Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) owns and operates a regional wastewater treatment plant (Plant) located on a parcel northwest of Atlantic City, known as City Island. The plant has been in operation since 1978.  Due to the location of City Island, and the coastal region it serves, hurricanes and tidal conditions can potentially cause loss of power and inundation of the plant and pump stations. The project entailed the purchase of 10,800 linear feet of removable  and reusable flood protection barrier to be deployed around the pumping stations and the plant in preparation for an impending storm. The provision of portable flood protection measures will protect the facilities from severe weather events similar to Super Storm Sandy and provide resilience in case of future storms. 

According to Frank Gilliam, Mayor of Atlantic City, one of the Authority's major customers, "This is a smart project with a big impact. For very little money, the ACUA has protected its treatment plant from future storms and qualified for principal forgiveness from the NJ Water Bank in the process. This project is an excellent example of the ACUA's commitment to better manage our waste water, improve resiliency and reduce risks to public health and the environment while saving our rate payers money over time."  
 

The flood barriers were installed by US Flood Control Corp.  

Pictures courtesy of ACUA