PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—In a year that shined a light on what it means to be essential, SUEZ North America invested more than $140 million in infrastructure projects to improve its water and wastewater systems across New Jersey in 2020.
In a SUEZ North America press release last week, CEO Nadine Leslie said the company kept its commitment to its customers.
“Whether we are providing safe, reliable drinking water services or ensuring that wastewater is being safely treated to return to the environment, our customers are at the forefront of what we do. Last year presented numerous challenges, yet our employees stood by that commitment, embraced new health and safety regulations and continued delivering for the communities we serve,” she said.
She added that more than 170 projects were completed in 69 municipalities in 2020 to ensure water quality and reliability to the 1.2 million residents and businesses SUEZ serves in New Jersey. The projects included the replacement of water mains in 17 municipalities, improvements at treatment plants and an aggressive effort to remove thousands of lead service lines.
Alan Weland, vice president and general manager of SUEZ Utility Operations in New Jersey, said “the company’s investments will benefit our communities for generations to come, while also remaining sensitive to their household budgets.”
He added, “From Paramus to Toms River, our customers in New Jersey depend on us to provide water and wastewater services to their homes and businesses every day. That is why we continue to make long-term, essential investments that improve water quality and reliability.”
According to SUEZ North America, the Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for the world and reminded people how essential water is to handwashing and good hygiene.
“With much of the state shut down, SUEZ crews embraced new health and safety standards designed to protect themselves and their customers as they continued their essential work,” the company said.
Weland said, “During this challenging time, SUEZ has been with our communities every step of the way. Our teams have worked tirelessly in the field, in the lab and in our treatment plants to ensure our customers have the clean water and reliable service they need to remain safe. It has been an honor to serve our communities and to know our infrastructure investments are helping to strengthen New Jersey.”
The company called out its investment highlights:
- Water main replacements: The $25 million invested to replace water mains will safeguard reliable water service and ensure resiliency throughout New Jersey. Mains were replaced in East Rutherford, Paramus, Union City, Hackensack, West New York, Oradell, Carlstadt, Tenafly, New Milford, Northvale, Oradell, Wallington, Leonia, Toms River, South Toms River, Lambertville and Berkeley.
- Water quality improvements: Significant upgrades at treatment plants statewide improve water quality and assure adherence to safe drinking water standards. In Toms River, major upgrades were made to chemical treatment and filtration systems. At the Haworth Water Treatment plant, which serves more than 860,000 people in Northern New Jersey, a $6.2 million electrical replacement project at a pump station will ensure the plant continues to operate during storms.
- Lead service line removal: A $38 million effort to remove lead service lines and enhance corrosion control in Northern New Jersey was one of the largest projects of 2020. More than 5,000 lead service lines have been removed and more than a dozen crews will continue to dig out lead lines in 2021. The drinking water meets all federal and state health standards and tests show the levels are below even the more stringent proposed regulations.
- Bringing aging municipal systems into compliance: In West Milford and the Highlands, SUEZ is in the midst of its $50 million, five-year series of projects to overhaul and replace aging and troubled water and sewer systems the company acquired in late 2018. Improvements at water treatment facilities and water tanks are resulting in improved drinking water for customers who had been experiencing discolored water for years. Meanwhile, projects at multiple sewer plants are preventing overflows that had long plagued neighborhoods.
- System improvements: Replacement of underground infrastructure like system valves helps reduce leaks and water meter replacements increase customer bill accuracy. Replacements and maintenance of the more than 18,000 hydrants in the system assure fire departments have the water and pressure they need to fight fires.
- Safety enhancements: Improvements to systems that monitor water quality and supply, increased cybersecurity measures and security upgrades make water supplies and systems safer.
Work continues in 2021
Many new projects—including main replacements, plant upgrades, and water tank refurbishments—are already underway in 2021. These investments highlight the company’s commitment to improve lives and communities across New Jersey, Weland said.
“These projects keep communities safe and they prepare New Jersey for the future,” Weland said. “These extensive upgrades to New Jersey’s infrastructure and treatment facilities will have long-lasting impacts on the areas we serve.”