Middlesex Water begins water line upgrade project in New Jersey

US-based water and wastewater services provider Middlesex Water Company has begun work to replace and upgrade the water mains in the city of South Amboy in New Jersey.

As part of its yearly programme RENEW, the company will perform cleaning and lining of the water mains and replace water lines, valves and fire hydrants, at a cost of $4m.

Middlesex Water is also planning to upgrade some of the smaller water mains to increase the pressure and flow of water in South Amboy.

The company plans to clean and line a total of 11,500 linear feet of 6in and 8in water mains, and also replace about 9,000 linear feet of 4in water mains with 8in water mains.

Middlesex already improved part of the city’s water distribution system in 2011, and the new project is a continuation of the planned upgrade work.

The water company has already started replacing the 4in water mains with 8in water mains.

Middlesex Water chief operating officer Richard M Risoldi said the company upgraded parts of its 730 mile water system annually to continue providing reliable service to its customers.

"Aging water and wastewater infrastructure is an issue across the country with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency placing the cost of repairing, replacing and upgrading the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure at more than $600bn over the next 20 years," Risoldi added.

"We plan to replace some 475 water service lines along with 31 hydrant assemblies in our 2013 RENEW effort.

"This translates into less lost water through leaks for our system, and enhanced water quality and pressures for our customers."

The latest upgrade project is expected to be completed by the final quarter of 2013.

The company is funding the project by accessing the state revolving funds offered through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.

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Image: Middlesex Water to replace and upgrade water mains to provide reliable water services to its customers in South Amboy in New Jersey, US. Photo: Courtesy of Bidgee.