Menendez, Booker Announce $34.6 Million to Fortify Elizabeth Sewage Facility Serving Hundreds of Thousands in Essex, Union Counties

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 23 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced $34,695,900 in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete a critical flood resiliency project to protect the Edward P. Decher Secondary Wastewater Treatment Facility in Elizabeth, which sustained significant damage during Superstorm Sandy and serves hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents in all or part of 17 communities in Essex and Union Counties.

"Although we've made great progress since Sandy battered our state, many towns are still dealing with the aftermath," said Sen. Menendez. "By mitigating the risk and impact from future storms, we can ensure this key public sewage facility stays online, provides continued service and protects residents and the surrounding environment. I will continue to fight for these federal investments which are critical to ensuring New Jersey and its residents are stronger, more resilient and better prepared for when disaster strikes."

"New Jersey is still facing the consequences of Superstorm Sandy and after almost seven years, the cleanup and rebuilding process continues," said Sen. Booker. "This federal investment will help repair New Jersey's critical water and wastewater infrastructure, making it more resilient in the face of future disasters, and giving New Jersey families greater peace of mind."

The facility, operated by the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties (JMEUC), provides water treatment for all or parts of East Orange, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Newark, Orange, South Orange and West Orange in Essex County and Berkeley Heights, Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, New Providence, Roselle Park, Summit and Union in Union County. According to the JMEUC, the sewage facility receives industrial, commercial and residential wastewater from a 65 square mile area in Essex and Union Counties and processes 85 million gallons per day (MGD).

In 2013, President Obama signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package, which Sen. Menendez helped lead to passage, included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure.