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Middlesex Water Company Announces $11.1 Million Project To Upgrade Water Mains in Carteret and Port Reading
Company to also Replace Customer Owned Lead Service Lines ISELIN, N.J., April 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex) has announced
About this update from Middlesex Water Company
[{"type":"text","content":"Company to also Replace Customer Owned Lead Service Lines\nISELIN, N.J., April 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex) has announced that beginning in May 2023, it will begin an $11.1 million initiative to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in the Borough of Carteret, New Jersey and portions of the community of Port Reading in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Under this annual initiative known as RENEW, Middlesex intends to replace 26,000 linear feet of water main, as well as service lines, valves and fire hydrants. Concurrently, Middlesex will be implementing its “Knocking Out Lead” program to remove any lead or galvanized steel service lines it encounters. While treated water delivered by Middlesex to customers is lead free, as water travels through a lead service line, the corrosion of a pipe can add lead into the treated water delivered to customers. New Jersey legislation signed into law on July 22, 2021, requires investor owned and municipal water utilities to replace all utility owned and customer owned lead and galvanized steel service lines by 2031. While the Company removed all of its known lead lines several decades ago, the legislation enables Middlesex to help customers address lead on their private property and the portion of the service line they own. As new mains are installed, any lead and galvanized service lines will be replaced with copper service lines at no direct cost to the property owner or tenant. “We’re excited to be integrating our Knocking Out Lead effort with our RENEW Program,” said Robert K. Fullagar, Vice President of Operations. These two efforts are key initiatives under our Water For Tomorrow capital investment umbrella for added system resiliency. While RENEW work helps improve service reliability, fire flows and service quality, replacing lead service lines is a major public health benefit as it helps reduce potential exposure to lead in drinking water,” he added. The following Carteret streets are included in the project work area: Arthur Avenue, Ash Street, Birch Street, Casey Street, Coolidge Avenue, Daniel Street, East Chestnut Street, East Laurel Street, Jackson Avenue, Marion Street, McKinley Avenue, Mulberry Street, Spruce Street, Sumutka Avenue, Sycamore Street, Tyler Avenue, and Willow Street. The following Port Reading streets are included in the project work are...