Suez To Begin Water Main Work In Toms River Monday

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Suez water expects to begin work to replace 2 miles of water mains in the Toms River service area on Monday, the company announced.

Water mains originally placed into service in the 1960s will be replaced with 8-inch ductile iron pipe in the neighborhoods of Cranmoor Drive, East Drive, Fairway Drive, Green Twig Drive, Laurel Avenue, and Point O’ Woods Drive. The project also includes replacement of fire hydrants and renewal of services, Jane Kunka, a company spokesperson, said.

The $2.3 million project begins Monday and is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, Kunka said.

"Our ongoing improvements and proactive upgrading of water infrastructure throughout the Toms River area helps us to remain up front with growing regulations intended to protect health, the environment and the communities we serve,” said Jim Mastrokalos, director of operations.

SUEZ and its contractor, J.F. Kiely Construction Company, will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the neighborhoods mentioned above, weather permitting. There will be no weekend or holiday work scheduled for this project.

Mastrokalos said that the company anticipates brief, temporary water service shutdowns during this job. Residents will be alerted in advance regarding specific dates and times when water interruptions will occur.

“Safety is our number one priority, and in order to allow for secure movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the project, appropriate local law enforcement will be assisting at the work sites to ensure the safety of residents and workers,” Mastrokalos said.

The work is one of several water main upgrade programs that are part of an $8.5 million capital investment, the company said.

Crews work to replace a water main on Park Avenue in Toms River earlier this year. Photo via Suez water company's Facebook page, used with permission