Middlesex Water begins construction of ozone treatment plant in New Jersey

US-based water utility Middlesex Water has started the construction of a new ozone treatment facility at its Carl J. Olsen (CJO) Treatment Plant in Edison, New Jersey.

Northeast Remsco Construction has been selected for the project as the general contractor and Jacobs Engineering Group as the consulting engineer.

The company expects the construction works to complete by mid-2021.

The CJO plant currently treats an average of 30 million gallons daily and supplies water to around half a million residents in eastern Middlesex and Monmouth counties in the US state.

The company is also delivering a range of upgrades to its existing water treatment plant with an investment of $70m.

The plant upgrade is part of the company’s Water for Tomorrow capital campaign, under which, it will invest more than over $295m in drinking water infrastructure through 2021.

As part of the upgrade project, the company plans to replace sodium hypochlorite with ozone as the primary disinfectant in the water treatment process.

According to the company, the move will allow the plant to ensure compliance with drinking water quality regulations and reduce the instances of disinfection by-products.

Middlesex Water chairman, CEO and president Dennis Doll said: “We’re excited to begin implementing this technology at our largest treatment plant to further protect the health and safety of our customers.”

Ozone water treatment involves nil use of chemicals and is performed using oxygen and electricity. This process helps in effectively inactivating pathogens in raw water, as well as improve taste and odour.

In addition, the company plans to upgrade emergency electric generation back up system.

Doll added: “Through this installation and enhanced emergency power generation, among other improvements at the plant, we’re staying ahead of new and changing regulations, improving water quality, hardening our facilities against weather events and providing a safer work environment for our employees.”