$2M Upgrade Of Aging Bernards Township Water Infrastructure Begins

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Over one mile of aging water infrastructure in Bernards Township is currently undergoing a $2 million upgrade by New Jersey American Water.

NJ American Water will upgrade the cast-iron water main, originally installed in the 1950s, with new 8-inch ductile iron pipe along the entirety of Franklin Drive, Parkview Avenue, and Fieldstone Drive.

The project also includes replacing fire hydrants and utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route.

Additionally, New Jersey American Water will replace any customer-owned service line that has been identified as lead or galvanized as part of a statewide initiative to remove all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.

"This investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community," according to NJ American Water. "This improvement is part of New Jersey American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to accelerate the renewal of water infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life in more than 100 communities across the state."

New Jersey American Water’s contractor, CRJ Contracting Inc., began work on Fieldstone Drive earlier in August, and then began work on Franklin Drive and Parkview Avenue this week.

Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Final street restorations are expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

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