COURT HOUSE – Spurred by consecutive years of large, unexpected bills from the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), Middle Township Committee voted a contract award to Mott MacDonald Sept. 4 for an assessment of the municipality’s aging pump stations.
A graphic displayed by Mott MacDonald spoke volumes about the task facing the municipality. Listing 23 pump stations and their approximate construction dates, the graphic placed nine in a category labeled 30 years-old-or more, and seven in one labeled 20 years or more.
Township officials are unable to confirm MUA data on wastewater flow. The MUA data showing flow increases from the municipality, plus a decreased flow from multiple island communities, many of whom have updated their sewer infrastructure, has left Middle Township with significantly higher annual MUA fees.
One fear is that the aging sewer system is allowing stormwater intrusion into the wastewater flow, increasing the costs to the municipality.
The assessment will involve evaluation of pump station rehabilitation needs. It will also present the municipality with a plan for magnetic flood meters at the pump stations connected to a central control facility.
A Mott MacDonald representative said such an arrangement would provide township officials with data on flow through the pumps, while making management of the system efficient.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
