By Stephen Appezzato
FAIR HAVEN – New Jersey American Water’s (NJAW) nearly $1 million Fair Haven water main replacement project began Feb. 13 along Highland Avenue, Hillcrest Road and Heights Terrace.
The company will replace approximately 2,310 feet of old water main line – some of which dates back to the 1950s – as well as undersized water main line with new 8-inch piping.
Additionally, any uncovered lead or galvanized service lines will be replaced and new meter pits will be installed where applicable. The project is an effort to improve water service reliability and upgrade old and weathering piping to larger lines, capable of higher rates of flow for residential and firefighting use, according to an NJAW release.
“We prefer not to have our customers operate on 2-inch main,” said Paul Morales, an operations supervisor at NJAW. “We’re focusing on undersized and old and aged main. That main goes back many years into the ’50s, so we’re trying to eliminate some of that in our infrastructure and also update the customers’ services from the streets to their meter pits.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead can enter drinking water when pipes containing the metal wear and corrode. This is often the result of acidic or mineral deficient water flowing through the pipe. Lead pipes are most likely found in older towns and in buildings constructed prior to the 1980s. When consumed, lead can pose a significant health risk, particularly to children, causing effects such as nervous system damage and impaired blood cell production and function.
CRJ Contracting, a water installation and replacement company based in Somerville, will be completing the work.
It is important to note, only utility-owned service lines will be replaced in this project. These include the water main line and piping that leads to houses’ shut-off valves. Water lines beyond that point are resident-owned and therefore their responsibility.
“The Borough of Fair Haven has been working with our various utility companies, including New Jersey American Water, to ensure that our residents have modern and reliable infrastructure systems throughout the town,” said Mayor Josh Halpern. “Various utility upgrades have been ongoing and we have insisted that they are done in a manner that causes the least amount of disruption to our resident’s daily lives as possible.”
“The larger water main and service line upgrade project is nearly complete throughout the town, which will guarantee that Fair Haven’s water delivery system is in top shape for many years to come,” he said.
Due to the large operation, residents will encounter temporary and sporadic road closures, especially near Highland Avenue, Hillcrest Road and Heights Terrace. Local police will be responsible for directing traffic and ensuring the safety of workers and pedestrians. Furthermore, homes may encounter temporary water service interruptions or discolored water streams. According to NJAW, service interruptions will be brief and residents are advised to simply run their water until it appears clear in the event of discolored flow.
The final stage of the project, road and sidewalk reconstruction, is slated for the summer. By then, a large portion of Fair Haven’s dated water infrastructure will have been renovated.
The article originally appeared in the February 16 – 22, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
