Twice as many water mains broke in Hoboken in 2010 than the year before. Despite this, United Water, the city’s water provider, has told Mayor Dawn Zimmer there’s nothing abnormal happening in the city’s aging water system, a response the mayor says came “as a surprise.”
In January, Zimmer reached out to United Water, based in Hackensack, because she was “concerned about what appears to be the increased frequency and severity of water main breaks” in Hoboken. This past winter, it seemed like a water main break – and the street flooding and closings, and an inconvenience for residents and businesses – meant just another day in Hoboken. In November, the city suffered three water mains break in one week.
“At this point I’m making sure we’re getting as much as we can from the contract.” – Mayor Dawn Zimmer
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In 2010, there were approximately 21 main repairs completed by United Water, up from 10 in 2009. The disruptions happened in every part of the city.
The highest number of main repairs done by United Water over the past 15 years was 37 in 1995, according to information from the company.
The current problem has led the Zimmer administration to suggest implementing a master plan for infrastructure.
‘We’ll fix it, but don’t blame us’
“It seems to me like we’ve had a lot [of breaks], but based on the data they put together it doesn’t appear to be so bad,” Zimmer said last week. However, Zimmer said it doesn’t mean she’s complacent about it.
“Any water main break is one too many for me,” she said. “If you ask Hoboken residents they would probably agree. [Water service] is something residents should be able to expect. While generally United Water has been pretty good about repairs, there are times when we have to shut down the water.”
Hoboken uses approximately 4.5 million gallons of water per day.
In December, a water main break led to a road collapse on Second and Garden streets. United Water said in a letter to the mayor that they will foot the bill for $29,000 in road restoration costs, but will not accept liability.
Contract is ‘a challenge’
United Water has run the city’s water infrastructure since signing a 1994 contract with the city. As part of the contract, United Water is required to contribute $350,000 annually for capital improvements to the water infrastructure. The contract is in effect until 2024.
United Water receives approximately $8 million in annual revenue and has approximately $4 million in annual expenses, according to a letter from United Water to Zimmer.
Zimmer said the contract between United Water and the city of Hoboken is “a challenge” for the city.
“We sold the rights to our water main system for $13.2 million,” Zimmer said. “In exchange we get $350,000 a year in improvements and they get $4 million in revenue.”
The contract was signed by former Mayor Anthony Russo to fill a gaping municipal budget deficit.
Zimmer called the contract short-sighted, and was disappointed that the revenues are going to United Water and not the city of Hoboken.
Letters between United Water and the city show that the two parties are working together to try to improve the water infrastructure, with the city requesting information about capital improvements and United Water supplying the data.
Calls to the United Water press office were not returned.
“We are honored to have served Hoboken for the past 17 years and we look forward to working with you to address Hoboken’s future,” said United Water Vice President and General Manager James Glozzy in a Feb. 4 letter to Zimmer.
However, the city doesn’t seem happy that they are involved in this agreement.
“At this point, I’m making sure we’re getting as much as we can from the contract,” Zimmer said last week in an interview. “We’re making sure that we’re getting all that we can from the $350,000 [annual capital improvements].”
In the letter to Zimmer, Glozzy said that United Water recommends “that the city develop a water supply master plan that would include short term and long term needs that would coincide with funding capabilities.”
“Going forward it’s a matter of creating an overall plan,” Zimmer said. “But right now we have to work on our waterfront plan.”
Beginning in 2014, the $350,000 in capital improvement funds can increase if the consumer price index spikes.
The water main system is distinct from the city’s combined sewer system, which is operated by the North Hudson Sewerage Authority. The combined sewer system is for rainwater drainage and sewage.
So for now, Zimmer said the city is looking to create a new plan, working in the bounds of the contract, to see what action the city can take to improve the situation.
“We’re going to take the data that they have and work on developing a master plan for infrastructure,” Zimmer said.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com