|
About the JCMUA |
|
The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) operates both the sewerage and water systems of Jersey City. We do our best to be sure that all wastewater and storm water flow to the treatment plant and that fresh water reaches your home. A Board of Commissioners consisting of five regular appointments and two alternates governs the JCMUA. The Mayor of Jersey City with the consent of the City Council appoints the Commissioners. The History of the JCMUA Begun as the Jersey City Sewerage Authority in 1949, the JCSA built two sewage treatment plants to meet early requirements for treating wastewater prior to discharging into the rivers. These plants were built on Route 440, where the current JCMUA offices are located, and at the foot of Communipaw Avenue, where the current pumping station is located adjacent to the Liberty Science Center. These treatment plants faithfully served the residents of Jersey City until 1990, when more stringent rules required the treatment system to be upgraded. Under a $21 million grant from the USEPA, the JCSA converted its two treatment plants to pumping stations and began pumping wastewater under the Newark Bay to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners in Newark. The JCSA became the JCMUA in 1998, when the Authority took over the responsibility of the Jersey City Water system. Previously, a department within the City had operated the water system. The JCMUA has contracted the operations of the water system to United Water of Jersey City. United Water is well known for its ability to provide quality service at greater efficiency to its customers. See United Water link for more information on the water system. Mission Statement of the JCMUA "The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority pledges to operate and maintain its sewerage and water facilities in a fashion that will protect the public health and environment of all its constituents. It will always strive to accomplish this goal in the most competent, economical and compassionate manner possible." Facts about the JCMUA The JCMUA owns more than 230 miles of sewers and 5,000 catch basins. Twenty-one combined sewer overflow points throughout the City keep raw wastewater from discharging into the rivers.
The JCMUA pumps nearly 50 million gallons of wastewater per day to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners' wastewater treatment plant in Newark through a 72-inch pipe under the Newark Bay.
Jersey City drinking water, some of the best drinking water in the state, flows from the Boonton Reservoir in Boonton, NJ through 26 miles of pipe. There are 240 miles of water pipes throughout Jersey City.
The JCMUA performs inspections of its sewers for structural integrity through use of closed circuit television cameras which are transported through the sewers. The JCMUA utilizes radio detection equipment to identify previously unidentified pipes. The JCMUA "breakout crews" repair manholes, catch basins, and sewer pipes, which range in size from eight to thirty-six inches in diameter.
Work crews clean sewer pipes, catch basin and manholes, in addition to checking resident house connections, as needed.
Despite Jersey City's street-cleaning program, the JCMUA annually collects approximately 62,500 cubic feet of trash and grit at its treatment plants. Additionally, more than 72,000 cubic feet of material is removed from the City's catch basins through scheduled maintenance.
|
