Projects

NJ I-Bank Water Infrastructure News (WIN): The Long Branch Sewerage Authority borrows $1.5 million in Water Bank loans, saving an estimated $444,619.

The Long Branch Sewerage Authority (“the Authority”) recently completed a series of capital improvement projects financed with approximately $1.5 million in loans from the NJ Water Bank, a low-rate funding program jointly administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (“I-Bank”). Total savings from the loan due to reduced interest costs, are estimated to be $444,619 over the 30-year loan term or 28% of the total cost of the loan as compared to the Borough financing it independently. In addition, this project generated an estimated 18 direct one-year construction jobs.

The loan funded upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant, including improvements to the hot water piping system and the final settling tank. Work included replacing and modifying the existing underground hot water supply and return piping and abandoning older hot water lines between the plant control building and the sludge handling building. The project modernized the final settling tank by replacing the sludge collector drives with new, separate drive systems for both the longitudinal and cross collectors.

In addition, the Authority financed upgrades to the sludge holding system. This work involved demolishing outdated internal equipment, rehabilitating the interior of the sludge holding tank, and installing a new sludge mixing system. The sludge holding system received a new tank cover, vent system, sludge transfer pump, and associated pump controls.

John Pallone, Mayor of the City of Long Branch, commended the Authority for its smart planning and responsible stewardship of public dollars. “By taking advantage of low-interest financing through the NJ Water Bank, the Authority was able to modernize critical wastewater infrastructure while saving taxpayers more than $440,000 over the term of the loan. Projects like this protect public health, strengthen our city’s resilience, and support local jobs, all while keeping long-term costs down. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment Long Branch needs.”

This project was designed by Colliers Engineering and constructed by Thomas Controls, Inc.

Pictures courtesy of Colliers Engineering

Published February 2, 2026