08/08/2014
Mayor Fulop and Jersey City MUA Announce Improvements to Boonton Reservoir from Gravity Water Supply Project; Enhancements to Save Nearly $375,000 Annually & Reduce Energy Consumption
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Municipal Utilities Authority, in partnership with Hatch Mott MacDonald, are pleased to announce improvements to Jersey City’s drinking water supply out of the Boonton Reservoir in Morris County through the 84” Diameter Gravity Pipeline Project.
“The MUA’s collaborated effort with Hatch Mott MacDonald in refurbishing a system that was no longer accommodating to us is truly remarkable,” said Mayor Fulop. “I look forward to our City’s continued projects to preserve our municipal water system, and in turn improve our environment and our health while reducing the cost to rate payers.”
Although considered some of the best drinking water in the State, Jersey City’s water supply continues to be updated to meet the standards of safety and cost for the better of its residents. In 2011, Hatch Mott MacDonald and the Municipal Utilities Authority revisited past studies to decrease the approximately $500,000 electric bill caused by the six-20 million gallon a day, 250 horsepower motors that pumped water uphill from the reservoir to the treatment plant.
In 2012, they created a plan to begin construction on the 84” diameter Gravity Pipeline Project, which would use gravity to pump water to the treatment plant, and perform upgrades to the system. The project was completed in partnership with United Water, Scafar Contracting of Newark, and a “Green” Grant of $1.74 million.
Upon completion, Hatch Mott MacDonald calculated estimated that on average the City would save more than $375,000 per year in electrical cost, as well reduce its carbon footprint.
Currently, Hatch Mott MacDonald and the Municipal Utilities Authority are once again working together to harness hydropower from the spillway of the reservoir’s dam, which will allow the treatment plant to have a “net zero” carbon footprint in the future.
