Veolia Water NJ Signs Agreement To Buy Manalapan Water System

MANALAPAN, NJ — Veolia Water New Jersey has finalized its agreement to buy the Manalapan Township Water System for $4 million, company officials announced Thursday.

The announcement comes after 67% of voters approved the water system sale in a referendum vote on Nov. 5.

Now that the agreement has been signed, Veolia said they plan to perform “critical infrastructure improvements” to ensure that the system continues to meet the "highest standards of water quality and reliability."

These projects include:

• Vital water main and valve replacements
• Construction of a new state-of-the-art drinking water treatment facility
• Water storage tank restoration projects

According to Veolia officials, the water system serves approximately 3,500 households and businesses, and Veolia itself has been a trusted partner with Manalapan since 1995, when it first began managing the water system for the township.

“We are honored by the trust the residents of Manalapan have placed in us, and we are eager to make improvements that will serve this community,” said Alan Weland, the regional president of Veolia Water New Jersey. “I want to thank the Township Committee and voters for approving the sale as the best way forward for Manalapan.”

“The acquisition reflects Veolia's commitment to enhance communities by providing cost-effective, innovative solutions for sustainable water management in line with Veolia’s GreenUp strategy, which strives to transform the environment through cleaner water, reduced emissions, and technological innovation,” Weland continued.

Over the summer, the town hosted an information session for residents to learn more about the water sale and voice any questions or concerns.

According to then-Mayor (now Deputy Mayor) Mary Ann Musich, selling the water system became necessary to ensure the completion of needed system improvements and repairs.

If the town didn’t sell the water system, Musich said they would have to bond for $20 million to complete them, which would result in residents having to pay for improvements as well.

“If we don’t sell the water utility and we end up keeping it, all the improvements that have to be done — probably $20M plus — we would have to bond for,” Musich said. “So everybody in the town will then have to pay for that.”

After residents approved the sale in a town referendum vote on Nov. 5, Veolia agreed to purchase it for $4 million and is now working with Manalapan to ensure a smooth transition for customers.

Pending approval from the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the company anticipates completing the acquisition in late 2025.

“This sale will improve the water system and help us continue to make Manalapan a great place to live,” Mayor Eric Nelson said. “Veolia has the experience and the expertise to make the necessary upgrades to the system to deliver safe water and reliable service to our families and our neighbors.”

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article's headline said that Veolia Water NJ completed the purchase of the Manalapan Water System. This story has since been updated to show that the agreement was signed, but the purchase is still in progress.

Previous Coverage

• The Manalapan Water Sale: What You Need To Know
• Manalapan Votes On Water Sale, Board Of Ed: Unofficial Results
• Veolia Water NJ To Buy Manalapan Water System For $4M