Parts Of Port Reading, Carteret Getting Water Lines Replaced

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Beginning May 1, Middlesex Water Company will begin an $11.1 million-project to replace the drinking water lines that run underneath Carteret and portions of Port Reading.

In total, Middlesex Water Company will replace 26,000 linear feet of water mains, as well as service lines, valves and fire hydrants.

The only section of Woodbridge where this will take place is Port Reading. The lines will be replaced under the following Port Reading streets: Dawn Drive, Henry Street, Holly Street, Larch Street, Southeast Grant Avenue and Vernon Way.

The following Carteret streets are included in the project work area: Arthur Avenue, Ash Street, Birch Street, Casey Street, Coolidge Avenue, Daniel Street, East Chestnut Street, East Laurel Street, Jackson Avenue, Marion Street, McKinley Avenue, Mulberry Street, Spruce Street, Sumutka Avenue, Sycamore Street, Tyler Avenue and Willow Street.

This is to improve the water quality for residents on those streets, said the water company.

At the same time, Middlesex Water Company will implement its “Knocking Out Lead” program to remove any lead or galvanized steel service lines it encounters during the work.

As water travels through a lead service line, the corrosion of a pipe can add lead into the treated water delivered to customers. As new mains are installed, any service lines that are found to be galvanized or have lead will be replaced with copper service lines at no direct cost to the property owner or tenant.

The water company is now legally required to do this because in July of 2021, New Jersey legislation signed into law requires investor-owned and municipal water utilities to replace all utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized steel service lines by 2031.

The work is expected to take 8-9 months to complete, and should end by the spring of 2024. Woodbridge and Carteret residents should expect some traffic disruption as the roadway is trenched to accommodate the installation of a new water main. There will also be excavations when the service lines to each individual building structure are connected to the new mains.

Crews may revisit streets multiple times to complete all facets of the work.

The project also includes the installation of exterior below ground meter pits to eventually house water meters at each customer’s premise. The company’s long-term plan is to relocate meters from inside the home to the exterior, for greater customer convenience and safety.

Learn more about the whole project here: www.waterfortomorrowmwc.com/renew It is called Middlesex Water Company's RENEW project.

More about their lead initiative: https://www.middlesexwater.com/customer-care/get-the-lead-out