Looking Under The Manhole Cover

What do you see when you open a manhole cover? In 15 of them around town, you'll find

On Wednesday morning, Luis Montestruque, President of EmNet  explained that the sensors measure how much water is in the pipes and how many gallons go through them per minute. The sensors are supposed to provide data that will help the city alleviate flooding.

on Observer Highway is currently being built, and is supposed to be completed "in the next several months," according to Mayor Dawn Zimmer.

The sensors have observed five storms so far, Montestruque said. But it's unclear how much time the sensors need to be in place before enough data is collected, Montestruque added.

The North Hudson Sewage Authority has previously concluded that, in order to fully alleviate flooding in Hoboken, four pumps are needed. The NHSA is paying for the downtown pump. The others would have to be paid for by the city.

Mayor Zimmer said that a pump costs at least $20 million.

There has been criticism of the EmNet technology, and the city's decision to invest more than $100,000 in it. To that the mayor answered that it's worth it to make sure there are no other, cheaper alternatives to three new pumps.

Zimmer added she wants to look into green initiatives, such as water barrels and a water retention system under a new park. The mayor added that she'd like to bring in an expert to evaluate green alternatives to building new pumps. (Paying for that expert would have to be approved by the City Council).

"Green solutions should be a part of preventing flooding," Zimmer said.