NORTHWEST BERGEN COUNTY UA 2 LOANS

The Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (NBCUA) recently closed on two New Jersey Water Bank loans totaling $10.2 million to rehabilitate its sludge thickeners and address critical defects in its gravity and pressure interceptor system.

The first loan supports rehabilitation of NBCUA's sludge thickeners, addressing structural deficiencies in steel support beams, rotating arms, influent wells, and bracing members. Work includes in-kind replacement of gravity thickener equipment and associated support structures, repair of deteriorated concrete surfaces affected by spalling, cracking, and corrosion, replacement of main support beams for the odor control cover, modifications to odor duct supports, and other essential system upgrades.

The second loan focuses on NBCUA's gravity and pressure interceptor system, much of which was constructed in the late 1960s and 1970s and is nearing the end of its useful life. Recent system failures have led the Authority to proactively inspect and assess the system, identifying structural and maintenance issues that now require targeted repairs. Planned work includes replacement of the Pulis Avenue manhole, repairs to force mains and air release structures, and rehabilitation of multiple interceptor manholes across the system, including areas near Pulis Avenue, Franklin Lakes, Goffle Brook, the Ramapo River, Masconicus Brook, Chapel Road, Southerly Drive, Ho-Ho-Kus Creek, Trunk Sewer East and West, and Sheridan Avenue.

Together, these upgrades will strengthen system integrity, improve reliability, and extend the service life of critical wastewater infrastructure, helping protect surrounding communities and environmentally sensitive areas while safeguarding public health and safety.