$4.1M Approved To Upgrade Middle Brook Sewer Pump Station In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township will be investing $4.1 million to fully renovate Bridgewater's aging sewer pump station.

The Council voted to approve a bond ordinance at its Dec. 17 meeting for $4.1 million to authorize the improvements as part of phase 2.

"This is a 50-year-old plant that is in dire need of upgrading," said Council President Howard Norgalis.

In 2023, the Township underwent Phase 1 of the improvement project by installing a bypass connection on the force main. This also includes a bypass manhole on the gravity influent line to facilitate bypass pumping for Phase 2 work.

Phase 2 includes:

• Full renovation of station infrastructure
• Replacement of pumps, piping, and valves
• New motor control center and pump control panels
• Site work for safety and accessibility
• Emergency generator replacement

"As a firefighter, over the years, I was used to going into hazardous locations with meters to measure how much gas there was in a location. I was saddened to see that our own DPW people, when they go down the 50 feet, climb a circular staircase all the way down to where the pumps are located, have to carry a meter with them so that they can test whether or not there's any volatile or hazardous gases down in that pit," said Norgalis.

"Part of this renovation is updating that so there will be an adequate alarm system to improve the safety for our employees," said Norgalis.

Councilman Michael Kirsh agreed with Norgalis that "this is a necessary investment."

"We don't take the spending of $4.1 million lightly, but it's a necessary investment to make sure that the sewer utility continues to have physical and fiscal health," said Kirsh.

Kirsh added that all the water that comes out of residents' houses goes into this system.

"By being proactive and hopefully setting this station up for success for many, many years to come, this is a very important action that we're taking," said Kirsh.

The discussion on repairs to the station has been ongoing for months among Councilmembers.

At the July 24 Council meeting, Director of Municipal Services/Sewer Utility Thomas Genova gave a presentation on the history, current status, and renovation plans for the Middle Brook Pump Station. Read More: $3.9M Needed To Fully Renovate Middle Brook Sewer Pump Station In Bridgewater

The Middle Brook Pump Station was built in 1969 with no significant improvements made since 1995.

The station handles about 40 percent of the Township's sewage flow, which is on average 1.75 million gallons a day.

To put it in perspective, Genova said during the 4-inch rain storm the Township experienced on July 14, the flow was 3.75 million gallons a day.

The collection system takes wastewater from Bridgewater, the southern portion of Warren, and the northern portion of Branchburg.

"Speaking to the condition, it's definitely showing its age. The pump seals are leaking on all three pumps. Motor bearings are grinding. The suction and discharge valves are unable to close to isolate the pumps for repairs. The primary controls and drives are obsolete. The pump station requires a complete renovation," said Genova previously.

See the approved ordinance below:

10a by Alexis Tarrazi

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