JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced on April 13 that the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) will invest $94 million on improvements to city water and sewer utilities in 2016, much of which replaces century-old infrastructure.
“Like other urban centers around the country, much of our city infrastructure is more than 100 years old, which is why we have made upgrading these critical systems a priority,” said Mayor Fulop. “We are investing significantly on both our sewer and water lines citywide, as strengthening infrastructure is a vital part of our continued growth.”
For 2016, the MUA has appropriated $45 million in sewer line repairs and improvements. The main project will be to repair deficiencies identified by the MUA’s sewer capacity study, which identified pipes in the greatest need of repair. This work will include repairing or replacing 28,500 feet of sewer pipe throughout Jersey City.
For 2016 and into 2017, the MUA will invest $49 million in water system improvements. These include installing a new 8,600 foot transmission main from the south western section of the city to Newport; cleaning and lining 18,800 feet of water mains just north of Journal Square; the replacement of 30 large valves throughout the city; as well as replacing 20,000 feet of water mains in the downtown area.
The vast majority of this work is financed by the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructural Trust (NJEIT) over 20 years at an annual rate of less than one percent interest.