Relief is on the way for Lake Hopatcong's weed-choked waters. For years, failing septic systems have caused excessive plant and algae growth, degrading water quality. Now, through financing provided by the Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (EIFP), The Musconetcong Sewerage Authority's (MSA) sewer pipes will be extended around the lake to serve homes presently connected to faulty septic systems.

Historically, lakeside communities developed around Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong as seasonal resort areas during the early 1900s. These areas are now occupied year-round. The majority of Hopatcong Borough's population is concentrated within a densely developed area that represents one such lakeside community. Located in western Morris County and southern Sussex County, other municipalities in the area include Netcong Borough, Stanhope Borough and portions of Mount Olive Township, Roxbury Township, Mount Arlington Borough, Jefferson Township, Byram Township and Sparta Township.

Existing wastewater disposal problems in unsewered portions of the upper Musconetcong basin were identified through a comprehensive review of local and county health department records, resident questionnaires, surface water sampling, groundwater sampling, infrared aerial photography and a shoreline septic leachate detection survey of Lake Hopatcong. The need for corrective action was established by documenting a high failure rate for existing onsite systems as well as surface water and groundwater quality degradation in the densely developed unsewered areas surrounding Lake Hopatcong. These areas are found in the Borough of Hopatcong and Jefferson Township. Onsite system failures were attributed to soils unsuitable for septic systems, high-density housing and system overloads.

An analysis of Lake Hopatcong's water quality revealed that nutrient contributions from septic systems within the lake's watershed are a major cause of accelerated eutrophication in the lake. Furthermore, nutrients from existing septic systems would continue to be a major cause of excessive aquatic plant and algae growth even if all systems were operating properly. Substantial improvements in lake water quality are anticipated through reduction of the septic system nutrient loads.

Achieving and maintaining good water quality in Lake Hopatcong is a goal not only of the lakeside communities but also of the surrounding region. The lake is a regional recreational resource and is also used to supplement potable water supplies in the heavily populated areas of northeastern New Jersey during droughts.

The first phase of Hopatcong Borough's wastewater collection system, that was funded last year, received $5.3 million in EIFP loans. This money along with the supplemental federal grant of $8.7 million & the state grant of $5 million made the project economically feasible for the borough. This funding was realized after a decade of Departmental and legislative efforts to offset the cost burden for the individual homeowners in the borough. In addition, the MSA expansion project is being partially funded by a USEPA State and Tribal Assistance Grant in the amount of $2.4 million that has been offered to MSA. The remainder of the money for this expansion, $8.5 million, was provided through the EIFP funding program.