NJ American Water shows off $28M water treatment plant upgrades

Local and state officials, along with the team from New Jersey American Water, gathered in Colts Neck Oct. 26 to celebrate the recently upgraded Swimming River Water Treatment Plant. 

The $28 million project, which includes system enhancements and infrastructure improvements, began in 2019. All elements of the work are expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

Constructed in 1972, the facility delivers 36 million gallons of water per day to more than 335,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean counties as part of the Camden-based water utility’s Coastal North water system. According to the company, the plant previously included a 36-inch gravity main that was more than 100 years old.  

“The Swimming River Facility provides a critical service and benefit to the residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties, and we are thrilled to unveil the investment and work into this facility,” Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water, said in a statement. “Proactively upgrading our infrastructure allows us to continue the delivery of safe, reliable water service to our customers.” 

Upgrades included: 

• A new, 1 million-gallon underground clearwell storage tank 
• A new high service pump station 
• Replacement of power service equipment, transformers and switchgear 
• Installation of a new generator to provide backup power in the event of a power outage 

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