Veolia Water New Jersey completed its previously announced $4 million acquisition of the Manalapan Township Water System, the utility company announced Oct. 2. 

The sale received approval from 67% of voters in a November 2024 referendum. The Haworth-based division of Veolia North America then announced this spring the transaction would move forward. 

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the deal Sept. 10. 

The acquisition adds 3,500 homes and businesses to Veolia’s service area. The company noted it delivers drinking water to 1.1 million residents statewide.  

“We are thrilled to officially welcome the Manalapan community into the Veolia family,” Veolia Water New Jersey Regional President Alan Weland said in a statement. “Our focus now shifts to implementing the critical infrastructure upgrades that will ensure reliable, high-quality water service.”

Now the work begins

In addition to the purchase price, Veolia also committed to more than $28 million in infrastructure improvements over the first 10 years of ownership. Additionally, Veolia offered rate stability for residents with a proposed five-year rate schedule. 

Planned upgrades include: 

• Water main and valve replacements 
• Construction of a state-of-the-art drinking water treatment facility  
• Water storage tank restoration projects 

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our water infrastructure,” Manalapan Township Mayor Eric Nelson added. “Veolia’s proven track record gives us confidence that our residents will benefit from enhanced service reliability and water quality improvements for years to come.” 

Veolia noted the Manalapan system purchase is the company’s sixth acquisition in New Jersey since 2018. 

In June, the company also announced it was investing $38 million to build two wastewater treatment plants in West Milford. Veolia acquired West Milford’s six wastewater and eight drinking water systems in 2018 for $12.6 million.