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NJ Sewage Crisis: $400M Plan to Clean Rivers
20 Jul
Summary
- Camden County embarks on a $400 million, decade-long project to fix its sewer system.
- Heavy rains cause raw sewage to flood homes and contaminate local rivers.
- The project aims to reduce sewage overflows by 90% and protect drinking water.
Camden County is undertaking a massive $400 million, multi-year project to address its failing combined sewer system and widespread water contamination. Recent storms, including one on July 6 that dumped nearly four inches of rain in an hour, overwhelmed the system, leading to extensive flooding and over 150 emergency calls in Camden and Gloucester City.
Raw sewage has been backing up into homes and flowing into local waterways such as the Cooper River, making it unsafe for recreation. The Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA) operates a critical wastewater treatment plant serving over 500,000 residents, which is at risk of failure.
The project, slated to last over a decade, aims to reduce raw sewage discharges by 90% in Camden by separating parts of the combined sewer system. This comprehensive effort will also include sanitary sewer repairs, sediment remediation, dredging, and green infrastructure.
Additionally, the CCMUA is concerned about future flooding risks due to sea level rise, planning a $70 million flood wall and other infrastructure upgrades to protect its treatment facility. Funding for the project will come from state and federal grants, loans, and potentially an open space tax increase awaiting voter approval.
