CAMDEN CITY SANITARY/COMBINED SEWER REHAB

Camden City recently completed a sanitary/combined sewer rehabilitation that is being financed with approximately $6.5 million in loans from the NJ Water Bank, a low-rate funding program jointly administered by the DEP and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank ("I-Bank"). Because the project addressed significant deficiencies in Camden's aging sanitary and combined sewer system, the initiative qualified for $5 million in principal forgiveness under the set-aside for CSO Abatement and Affordability projects. Combining the forgiven principal with interest cost savings, the total savings are estimated to be $8 million over the 15-year loan term, over 100% of the total cost of the project, as compared to Camden financing it independently. In addition to substantial taxpayer savings, this project generated an estimated 78 direct one-year construction jobs.

This large-scale upgrade replaced over 112,000 linear feet of deteriorated sewer pipe, installed 2,300 feet of cured-in-place liners, and mitigated hazards such as cave-ins, backups, and flooding. These improvements not only enhance public health and safety but also reduce emergency repair costs and liability risks. Shrewd leadership has leveraged these savings to maximize reinvestment in critical infrastructure, demonstrating how sound financial stewardship can jump start the revitalization of a community.

According to Victor Carstarphen, Mayor of Camden City, "This project shows the power of the NJ Water Bank. By capitalizing on strategic, low-cost financing, the city was able to accelerate critical upgrades, stretch taxpayer dollars, and deliver long-term value to residents. We modernized 112,000 feet of sewer pipe, reduced flooding and backups, and created local jobs, all while saving taxpayers money. This is a smart, affordable investment in our city's future."

This project was designed by in-house Camden City engineers and constructed by A.P. Construction, Inc.