In addition to the City’s severe financial crisis, Bayonne also faced an equally challenging problem maintaining the city’s antiquated water system that was in need of costly upgrades and repair.
One critical aqueduct valve actually dated back to 1882. Badly needed upgrades had been delayed for years due to a lack of funds, even though the now disbanded Municipal Utilities Authority had increased rates by 90% over the prior decade. The problems facing the city’s aging water system were threatening Bayonne’s future and demanded immediate attention.
After repeatedly warning the City that improvements must be made, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection effectively ordered a ban on all construction in Bayonne. No new buildings would be allowed to connect to the city water system—this included large development projects and single-family homes, too. This was a potentially crippling blow to the City’s future that demanded immediate attention.
Badly needed upgrades had been delayed for years due to a lack of funds.
All of Bayonne’s water comes from the North Jersey Water Supply District through a 100-year-old aqueduct that was on the brink of failing in 2012.
40% of the water Bayonne was purchasing from North Jersey was simply being wasted.
The badly damaged water infrastructure was in such severe disrepair that much of the water traveling through the 13-mile aqueduct was just leaking away.
The 2012 public/private partnership is responsible for bringing the highest quality water to the City.
As a result of the various improvements made to the aqueduct system, Bayonne’s most recent annual lead and copper samples results were under the EPA’s recommended Lead Action Level of 15 parts per billion.
The 2012 public/private partnership provided both the funding and modern management practices needed to turn things around.
Veolia took operational control of the water system’s hundreds of miles of water mains and sewer lines. Veolia also took over billing and customer service, but the City maintained ownership.
Gradually, the City’s water infrastructure is being upgraded with the most severe problems addressed quickly. During the term of the Partnership Agreement, Veolia will invest at least $157 million in system improvements
The Veolia Smart Metering System informed over 4,200 ratepayers about leaks on their own property that were wasting both water and their money. This led to a 38% reduction in water usage by ratepayers. The company’s Rapid Assessment Technology has resulted in a 70% reduction in sewer line blockages, which is particularly important during flood conditions.
As a result of the improvements made possible by the Partnership Agreement, the DEP order was rescinded, opening the door for the MOTBY development and other significant projects throughout the city.
