Water Treatment Plant In Lakehurst To Get $2.25M In Upgrades

LAKEHURST, NJ — The borough of Lakehurst is slated to receive $2.25 million in federal funding to upgrade and expand its water treatment plant.

The funding was part of federal spending bills passed recently by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden to keep the federal government operating, according to an announcement by Rep. Chris Smith's office.

The plant, which was completed in 1966 and last upgraded over 20 years ago, currently treats 300 gallons per minute. The funding will allow the borough to double its capacity to 600 gallons per minute.

"This much-needed expansion of the Lakehurst Water Treatment Plant will advance the health and safety of residents not just in Lakehurst but also in neighboring towns by ensuring they can continue to access clean water," Smith said in a news release.

Smith said the funds will also help replace the water main connecting the Lakehurst treatment plant to the Manchester Township interconnection, which provides safe drinking water for Manchester residents.

The current facility removes contaminants like iron and manganese from the raw water of two wells and provides potable water and fire protection to the entire Lakehurst community, officials said.

The project includes the completion of all piping and accessories of the water system associated with the interconnect vaults. In addition to bringing the existing plant into compliance with pending regulations, the infrastructure upgrade will also improve the water system resiliency and cybersecurity.