American Water invests $3.5M in Somerset County infrastructure

Last week, New Jersey American Water began the replacement of nearly 9,100 feet of aging water main in Somerset County.

The project, which started in November, will upgrade aging 6- and 8-inch cast-iron water lines with new 8-inch ductile iron main in sections of Bernards Township and North Plainfield. Some of the water lines were installed as far back as the 1930s.

Additionally, the project includes replacing 11 fire hydrants and 140 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. As part of a statewide initiative to remove all lead and galvanized lines by 2031, the company will also replace any customer-owned service line that is identified as such.

New Jersey American Water says the $3.5 million investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection. It is part of the company’s initiative to focus on renewing water infrastructure in more than 100 communities across New Jersey.

Montana Construction Inc. and CRJ Contracting Inc. are performing the work, which is expected to be completed within approximately two months in Bernards Township and three months in North Plainfield. Final street restorations will be completed in spring of 2023.

Other New Jersey American Water initiatives

• NJ American Water shows off $28M water treatment plant upgrades
• NJ American Water’s $10M Middletown project to last a year
• NJ American Water workforce program welcomes new trainees