New Jersey Spends $35 Million On Water Reuse Projects
Twenty-three water demonstration projects throughout New Jersey will receive a total of $35 million to reuse treated wastewater. State officials said the projects would help to protect the quantity and quality of New Jersey’s supplies of drinking water.
“The most important legacy that we can leave for future generations is to ensure a plentiful supply of clean water,” said Governor Richard Codey, announcing the projects on Monday. “This precious resource is both crucial to the health of New Jersey’s citizens and essential for a prosperous economy.”
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley Campbell said that after the 2002 recordbreaking drought in New Jersey, the DEP recognized the need for proactive and innovative steps to safeguard the state’s water supplies.
As a result, the department requested proposals from more than 450 water purveyors, wastewater dischargers and agricultural users for projects that would best supplement New Jersey’s water resources through reuse.
“These projects will help to conserve the state’s water supply by using cost efficient, highly innovative ways to reuse treated wastewater,” said Commissioner Campbell. “It is another example of the investments, support and leadership that we at DEP need to combat the depletion of the state’s vital water resources.”
From the 52 proposals submitted, requesting more than $200 million in funding, DEP selected 23 water demonstration projects that will preserve more than 6 million gallons daily. These projects will use treated wastewater for beneficial reuse such as irrigation and cooling operations at industrial facilities. The projects also include using treated, reclaimed water to upgrade public restrooms at Island Beach State Park and Waywayanda State Park.
Other projects promote the recharge of groundwater supplies and help in the prevention of saltwater intrusion. An approved project in Cape May City will use treated effluent to help prevent saltwater intrusion.
Under this project, Cape May City will inject treated wastewater into the Cohansey Aquifer to create a barrier to further protect area drinking water wells from saltwater contamination.
The $35 million available to support these projects comes from the 1981 Water Supply State Bond Fund.
Provided by the Environmental News Service.
