Council Approves $30K for Water Filter Repairs

A pressure sand filter at Freehold Borough’s water plant is in needs of repairs, according to Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina.

The Freehold Borough Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday to appropriate $30,000 from the water-sewer capital fund surplus to rehabilitate the damaged filter.

“We think there’s a leak in one of the filters. We’re losing sand and it has compromised the filter’s ability to remove the iron,” Bellina said.

The borough’s iron filtration has not been affected since other filters in the water distribution system can maintain appropriate levels, he explained.

The filter is one of eight installed in the 1940s that are in use at the municipality’s water plant.

“This whole filter tank could be decommissioned and it would not impact the [iron removal] process. If two were to go, perhaps there would be a strain,” Bellina said.

The problem with the filter was first discovered in August, he said.

The Borough Council also approved a change order providing an additional $4,295 toward the redevelopment of a well at the water plant. In August, the governing body awarded a $43,267 contract to A.C. Schultes, Inc., of Woodbury, to improve the well. The additional funding was needed because the contractor found an expansion joint was putting stress on piping, according to Borough Councilman Michael DiBenedetto.