Listen to this article

This month, New Jersey American Water began replacing thousands of feet of aging water main in Union Township and Middletown, the Camden-based utility announced Jan. 12. 

In Union, the $1 million investment will include the replacement of about 1,500 feet of water main along Cider Mill Road from Arbor Lane to Oakland Avenue and Portsmouth Way from Arbor Lane to Oakland Avenue. 

As part of the project, NJ American Water contractor Alpha Utility Contractors will also replace fire hydrants and utility-owned service lines, as well as any customer-owned lead or galvanized service line. 

The company expects the work to be completed in about a month, weather permitting and depending on the availability of supplies. Final street restorations will be completed this fall, the company said. 

In Middletown, the company kicked off a $2 million project to replace about 2,750 feet of aging water main along the entire length of Andover Court and Lexington Court. 

This project, which is expected to be completed within three months, also includes replacing fire hydrants and utility-owned service lines, as well as any customer-owned lead or galvanized service line. Final street restorations will be completed in late spring of this year. 

Both projects are part of NJ American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to improve water infrastructure in more than 100 communities. 

Giving back

In addition to improving residents’ water service, New Jersey American Water, along with the American Water Charitable Foundation, is also giving back to the communities it serves.

On Jan. 11, the organizations announced a total of $50,000 in donations to five nonprofits working to battle food insecurity. Located within the company’s service area, the recipients are:

• The Community Food Bank of New Jersey
• The Food Bank of South Jersey
• FulFill NJ: Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties
• Mercer Street Friends Food Bank
• Norwescap

“At New Jersey American Water, our commitment extends far beyond delivering quality service,” Mark McDonough, president of NJ American Water and foundation board member, said in a statement. “We take immense pride in our role within the communities we serve. Partnering with our local New Jersey food banks, we are able to support and serve the needs of our customers by actively combatting this critical issue of food insecurity.”