American Water finishes $12.7M purchase Long Hill sewage, water system

Utility giant New Jersey American Water finalized its purchase of the sewage and water treatment system in Long Hill Township, the end to a months-long process.

The system services roughly 2,800 area residents in the sleepy Morris County-based township.

Residents narrowly approved the takeover in a municipal referendum during the November 2019 elections by a two-to-one margin. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the takeover at a May 20 board meeting.

“Selling the system to New Jersey American Water is the best solution for our town,” Long Hill Mayor Brendan Rae said in a Thursday statement. “The proceeds from the sale will eliminate our debt, freeing up over $1 million in our annual budget.”

American Water said it will spend $13 million in “critical sewer system improvements in the next five years” – upgrades which Rae said are direly needed for the town’s “troubled water system.”

Those include upgrades to the pump station, replacements of the sewer main lining to prevent stormwater from leaking into the system, and treatment plant upgrades to prevent waste leakage into stormwater during heavy rain.

Company officials assured that upgrades and pipe replacements that entail road-paving would be coordinated with the local township to avoid traffic disruptions.

“As Long Hill’s water company for more than 110 years, we are delighted to now also be the sewer’s service provider for this community,” New Jersey American Water president Cheryl Nortan said in a Thursday statement.

“We look forward to getting started in making the needed improvements so that the community’s sewer service is as safe, reliable and affordable as the water service we provide.”