Bids Sought for E. Villas Water Project

VILLAS – The April 6 meeting of Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority featured information on Phase I of the East Villas water improvement project.
This phase will provide municipal water to 564 new customers that will cost the MUA $6,900 per customer. According to the MUA site, “The $3.7 million in financing for Phase One will be provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. This loan, which is payable over 40 years at 2.125 percent, will provide permanent financing for the project.” Individual customers will pay a $1,600 connection fee; a five-year zero-interest loan is available for residents. 
According to Executive Director Michael Chapman this project is moving along with the expectation that 13 bidders will respond to specifications by April 26; he anticipates that an award could be made by May 4.
This $3.9-million project will not result in any rate increase; normal water rates will cover the debt service.
Chapman also confirmed that the water and sewer billing process that had been outsourced to a private vendor has been returned to the MUA as of last month.
Chapman stated that the contract expired with the previous vendor and that the MUA staff will be able to perform that function at no additional cost to ratepayers.
Chapman also said that a decision had been made to replace or repair water mains that currently service residents on Roseann Avenue and Bayshore Estates. He cited age and poor condition of those mains that are not part of the scope of work designated for the flood improvement project.
He stated that it made sense to take care of the water mains first to avoid damage that may occur if the work were to be delayed until after the flood improvement project is completed.
Chapman stated that this work will not, in any way, delay the final project schedule for residents of the affected areas.
The authority also addressed the issue of water quality, especially in light of the Flint, Mich. disaster. Chapman stated that there are no parallels with Lower Township as far as water quality was concerned, but that the adverse publicity resulting from Flint’s experience had caused an increase in inquiries to the MUA on water quality issues. 
He said each complaint or inquiry will receive a work order that will track it all the way through to the investigation so that proper records will be maintained for the public.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.