Announce $20 Million Investment in Resilience of Critical Infrastructure

MONMOUTH BEACH – Governor Phil Murphy, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone, and Senator Vin Gopal today highlighted the commencement of the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority (TRWRA) sewer/pump station project, to which the Murphy Administration will commit $20 million in federal grant funding. The two-part project in Monmouth County will replace more than 3,000 feet of sewer line and will replace and relocate a critical main pump station. Together, these measures will bolster the resilience of crucial wastewater and stormwater infrastructure while safeguarding the station and surrounding communities from future storms.

TRWRA’s water treatment and collection systems serve 90,000 people in six member towns (Fair Haven, Little Silver, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Shrewsbury, and West Long Branch), six customer towns (Eatontown, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury Township, and Tinton Falls), and two military bases. Its facilities include 200 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 18 pump stations, and nine meter chambers.

“Thanks in no small part to the tireless work of FEMA and our congressional delegation, this project will help protect tens of thousands of New Jerseyans from future storms and flooding,” said Governor Murphy. “Crucially, by committing federal dollars toward the overhaul of this critical infrastructure, the State will realize a considerable return on its investment of FEMA resilience funding without imposing additional taxpayer burdens. It’s smart, forward-looking investments like these that will better prepare and protect our local communities and economies against the worsening impacts of climate change.”

“The reality is that because of climate change, we’re seeing what were once 100-year floods more and more frequently.  In some cases, we’ve seen them in consecutive years or even more often, and we simply can’t afford to be playing those odds with our critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. “This federal and state investment for the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority will play an essential role in ensuring that coastal communities in Monmouth County are protected for generations to come. I was proud to advocate along with Congressman Pallone for this federal funding of $20 million to support the project.”

“New Jersey’s resilience against the effects of future storms has been one of my top priorities ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated our state over ten years ago,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. “This funding will help make critical improvements to the sewer line and pump station that will safeguard our rivers and surrounding waters from a devastating sewage spill and future flooding events. I’m grateful to Governor Murphy, Senator Menendez, and Senator Gopal for their support of this project and our coastal communities.”

“We need 21st century infrastructure to support the Monmouth County of the future and protect us against extreme weather events like major flooding,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “These projects are fundamental to keeping our communities clean, healthy and prepared. Thanks to this infusion of funding, Monmouth County will have a modernized infrastructure to safeguard our communities and natural resources. This will be instrumental during storm events to keep our homes, businesses and beaches disaster free.”

“The Authority is eager to start this critical project and appreciates the Governor and Legislators working for Two Rivers to get this Grant to decrease the impact on our ratepayers,” said Michael Gianforte, Executive Director of TRWRA.