MIDDLESEX COUNTY UTILITIES AUTHORITY RESTORATION AND FLOOD MITIGATION

The Middlesex County Utilities Authority (MCUA) recently completed wastewater treatment plant improvements funded with approximately $16.5 million in long-term loans from the NJ Water Bank, a joint low-rate funding program of the DEP and the NJ I-Bank. The original short-term disaster relief SAIL loan from the Water Bank totaled $33.6 million. MCUA received approximately $17.1 million in grants from FEMA decreasing the Authority's net project costs.Total savings for this project are estimated to be $3,304,771 over the 20-year term of the loan or 20% of the total project cost. In addition, this project created an estimated 197 direct construction jobs.  

The MCUA made several improvements to its Edison Pump Station which was damaged by the storm surge during Superstorm Sandy. The project involved flood-proofing the generator to the pump and switchgear buildings and the tunnel access shaft located at the site. A flood wall was constructed around the site perimeter, with access provided by two rolling steel doors.  An auxiliary pumping station was constructed with isolation gates and a capacity of 65 MGD that will operate during storm events. A storm water pumping station with a capacity of 2,000 GPM was installed inside the floodwall to remove rain water and seepage. Various ancillary repairs and upgrades were completed to the HVAC electrical wiring, phone, intercom and fire alarm systems. 

According to Ronald G. Rios, Middlesex County Freeholder Director, "This project's restoration and mitigation measures will significantly reduce the potential for adverse impacts following similar storm events. Utilizing financing from the Water Bank for this project is an example of the MCUA's commitment to maintain its infrastructure and do so at the lowest possible cost to its ratepayers." 

The project was designed by Mott MacDonald Engineering. Construction Management was performed by Arcadis Design and Consultancy. The project was constructed by Walsh Construction Company.

Picture courtesy of Arcadis Design & Consultancy