Aging Water Main Replacement Set For Next Week In Ocean City
Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
New Jersey American Water will be replacing more than one mile of aging water main in Ocean City starting on or around Dec. 27.
The company will upgrade the aging 8-inch cement water lines that were installed in the 1950s with new 8-inch ductile iron main along West Avenue from 18th Street to 26th Street and 22nd Street from Haven Avenue to Asbury Avenue.
New Jersey American Water is also currently upgrading aging water main in several spots in Ocean City and Somers Point.
This project includes replacing seven fire hydrants and 300 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. Additionally, New Jersey American Water will replace any customer-owned service line that has been identified as lead or galvanized as part of a statewide initiative to remove all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.
“This $2.5 million investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community,” the company said in a news release. “This improvement is part of New Jersey American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to accelerate the renewal of water infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life in more than 100 communities across the state.”
Work will last about five months, weather permitting, the company said. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work outside of these hours is not expected unless required to maintain project schedule. Final street restorations will be completed in fall of 2023.
Project timelines are subject to change, so New Jersey American Water suggests customers for alerts through their MyWater account and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter to receive project updates.
“For the public’s and workers’ safety, traffic restrictions and/or alternating traffic patterns are likely to occur during work hours. All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction,” the company said. “New Jersey American Water values the safety of its workers and advises drivers and pedestrians to take caution in the vicinity of work sites.”