SALEM — The governing bodies of Salem and Gloucester counties are partnering to study the feasibility of a regional sewage system utilizing an existing treatment facility at the DuPont Chambers Works site on the Delaware River in Deepwater, Salem County. The DuPont facility maintains what’s described as a state-of-the-art sewage treatment system which will have more than enough capacity to handle secondary treatment for present and future projected sewerage from portions of the two counties.

The regional sewage system currently being studied, calls for the installation of a sewage trunkline from Gloucester County through Salem County along/within current road rights of way and into the DuPont facility. The existing municipal sewage treatment facilities throughout designated areas of Gloucester and Salem County would then have the ability to connect to the pipeline for sewer treatment.

“The proposed regional sewer system offers a tremendous opportunity for the municipalities within Salem County to upgrade their sewer treatment systems,” says Freeholder Director Lee Ware. “Some of the treatment facilities within Salem County are currently in dire need of repairs and upgrades. Unless repairs are made, the municipality may be subjected to significant fines and penalties from the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection sometime in the future.”

In addition, Ware continues, some of the sewage treatment facilities have or are near to reaching their maximum capacity. The master plans of several communities call for center-based development requiring additional treatment capacity that will only be available through a regional waste treatment option.

Salem County is currently actively engaged in two studies for the use of transfer of development rights (TDR) to guide growth into compact areas within the county and to preserve the equity of the low-density environs. Some additional sewer capacity will be necessary to implement the TDR plans. As a result, according to Ware, those municipalities who wish to see growth and expansion cannot do so.

“The proposed Regional Sewer System could provide the municipalities in this county a possible alternative to expensive upgrades of their systems at costs that may be much less than if they had to complete the repairs and upgrades themselves,” Ware maintains. “And it may also reduce future sewer treatment and operating costs to participating communities.”

The regional sewerage plan is currently in the investigative stage and no agreements have been made with DuPont or Gloucester County to begin construction.

“We must investigate the feasibility of this project first in order to determine if it is the right thing for Salem County,” explains Ware.

“This is a very large and aggressive project encompassing a tremendous number of variables that must be studied to determine whether or not this sewer system can be physically constructed, whether or not administrative agency approvals can be obtained and what the overall cost of the project will be.

“Before the Freeholder Board would move forward with any implementation, we would hold a public hearing on the matter so that the public can be informed of the details and we can address their concerns,” he maintains.

“If any of the variables involved do not meet the satisfaction of the Freeholder Board,” Ware says, “then the Regional Sewer Plan will not proceed to the next level.”

The feasibility study will cost the counties little, if any, money, accroding to Ware, explaining, “We were able to locate over $6 million that has been sitting unused with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection in connection with the Carneys Point Regional Sewer Plan which has never gotten off the ground.

“We received information that due to the inactivity of that project, the state may take back that money and divert it to other projects throughout the state.

“Instead of losing the money,” Ware continues, “we were able to apply it to this project for purposes of offsetting the cost of this study. Otherwise these funds would have probably been lost.”

The daily oversight of this project has been transferred to the Salem County Improvement Authority. Under New Jersey law, the authority has the power to oversee such projects.

“We believe that the Improvement Authority is more than qualified to handle this project,” Ware opines. “The members of the Improvement Authority are dedicated to the improvement of the county, and they have a full staff that can assist with this project.” said Director Ware.”

Although the project is being transferred to the Improvement Authority, the Freeholder Board will monitor the progress of the study and will be provided with periodic reports. Also, according to Ware, the study will be closely coordinated with the Salem County Wastewater Management Plan, which is currently proceeding under the Salem County Planning Department with an anticipated completion date in July 2010.

According to the Salem County governing body, “of utmost importance” is the perceived effect that the Regional Sewer Plan could have on the rural nature of Salem County.

“The Freeholder Board has made it abundantly clear that the purpose of the Regional Sewer Plan is not to promote growth and development but to assist municipalities with a reasonably priced sewer treatment option before being required to fix, upgrade, or expand their own sewer treatment plants at considerable expense,” says Ware.

“We are not trying to connect every resident in the county to sewer. We are merely trying to investigate the various options for existing sewer systems that are currently in place within the county.

“In fact, the municipalities that do not want to connect to the regional system will not be required to connect.”

Maintains Ware, “The protection of our environmental resources is paramount.

“The feasibility study will be taking into account the possible positive environmental impact of a reduction of five individual sewage treatment plants into one regional facility.”

A regional sewerage system does, however, provide municipalities that desire growth and expansion to obtain sewer treatment that would support such growth, Ware says.

Several municipalities within the I-295 corridor have been designated growth and expansion zones, as described in the Salem County Smart Growth Plan adopted in 2004. A regional sewerage system would, according to Ware, provide a cost-effective sewer option that would facilitate growth in those designated areas.

“This project has tremendous potential for the people of Salem County, and we are looking forward to the results of the feasibility study which will tell us whether or not this system will work for Salem County,” says Ware.

“No matter what the results are of the feasibility study, however, this administration will always support the concept of home rule regarding the requirements to connect to this system and developing sewer service areas,” he emphasizes.

Ware has directed the Salem County administrator to attend all meetings pertaining to this issue and to report back to the entire Board of Chosen Freeholders. Additionally, he has ordered a webpage be established posting all public documents on this matter.

The website, which includes public records about the regional wastewater plan are accessible at the county’s website

salemcountynj.gov

At the conclusion of the feasibility study, Ware reitereated, a public hearing will be held before any action is considered by Salem County.