BERGEN COUNTY UTILITIES AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING PUMP STATION FORTIFICATION

New Jersey became the first state in the nation to lend funds from the federal Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation ("STORM") Act, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA") for climate resiliency projects, when the New Jersey Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program ("NJ CHAMP"), the State's financing initiative authorized to lend STORM funds, successfully closed its first loan — a $1.61 million agreement with the Bergen County Utilities Authority ("BCUA"). A FEMA BRIC grant provided the $4.56 million balance of funds to complete the BCUA project.

NJ CHAMP, a program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank's ("I-Bank") Resiliency Infrastructure Bank group, is a low-rate funding program jointly administered by the Office of Emergency Management of the New Jersey State Police and the I-Bank created to finance hazard mitigation and resilience projects. According to I-Bank Executive Director David Zimmer, launching this program and making funds available to borrowers in just over seven months of receiving New Jersey's first STORM grant from FEMA marks a significant achievement. "This milestone was made possible through the collaboration and dedication of all those involved including federal, state, and local officials who introduced the program and worked on the project," said Zimmer. "We anticipate this will be the first of many successful loan packages to deliver critical financial assistance to communities across the state, fulfilling the mission envisioned of this federal-state partnership."

Utilizing grant funds from FEMA and match funds appropriated from the State, NJ CHAMP offers loans to eligible borrowers for qualified projects at a 1% interest rate. By borrowing NJ CHAMP funds for 20 years, total savings from the I-Bank project loan to BCUA is estimated to be $445,368 or 27.7% of the loan amount as compared to BCUA financing the $1.61 million independently. Including the BRIC grant funds, BCUA will save over $5.0 million. The project will also create an estimated 74 direct one-year construction jobs. 

The BCUA project fortifies the Joint Meeting Pump Station located in Rutherford, New Jersey. Part of the property lies within both the 100-and 500-year flood zones, making it particularly susceptible to flooding. The facility previously sustained minor damage from power outages and wastewater backup caused by flooding during extreme rain events. With rising sea levels, the pump station faces an increased risk of significant flooding in the future.

To protect the Joint Meeting Pump Station, a freestanding concrete flood wall is being constructed to a design height of 15-feet North American Vertical Datum of 1988 ("NAVD88"), which is a standardized vertical reference system used to measure elevations in the United States. NAVD88 serves as the baseline for determining the height of land, water levels, or structures above sea level. The flood elevation design for the project incorporates considerations for sea level rise and follows guidance from FEMA, American Society of Civil Engineers standards, and expert engineering opinion.

The entire project involves the construction of the new freestanding flood wall around the pump station, including the replacement of two underground fuel oil storage tanks, located adjacent to the east face of the pump station. The 12-inch-thick wall financed with NJ CHAMP funds will have a 6-foot-wide concrete footing supported by piles, and features to prevent water seepage. Special construction methods, including jet grouting, will be used to avoid disturbing underground utilities. 

The floodwall design includes a sliding flood gate for pump station access, supported by concrete piers and enlarged pile caps to handle vertical and lateral forces. Bollards will protect the wall from vehicular traffic, and the existing building facade will be maintained for aesthetic purposes. A throttling valve will be added to control surges in the 36-inch influent sewer. A stormwater pump station, consisting of a concrete wet well with a submersible pump and associated equipment, will manage rainwater and seepage, directing it to nearby storm sewers. Pumps will be accessible via hatchways.

The BCUA's SCADA system will be updated to monitor critical elements at the pump station and stormwater pumps. The floodwall will protect mechanical equipment and new above ground fuel oil storage tanks from flooding. The service area of the Joint Meeting Pump Station spans includes Rutherford, East Rutherford, and Carlstadt. Community lifelines in the service area of the Pump Station include six elementary schools, three high schools, three police stations, four firehouses, three emergency medical services, nine gas stations, an urgent care facility, and a major NJ transit railway station. In total, the Joint Meeting Pump Station services over 25,275 residents in the three municipalities, accounting for 71.75% of the total residents. The people and businesses within these service areas are directly impacted by service disruptions that may occur due to flooding. 

According to Robert Laux, Executive Director of the BCUA, "This project will enhance public health and welfare by proactively safeguarding our critical infrastructure. Protecting the wastewater pump station against future flooding and extreme storm events will ensure uninterrupted service and reduce the risk of flooding and sewer backups in the community. These mitigation measures directly improve community safety and resilience, and we are grateful for the support and financial assistance from our state and federal partners in this mission."

This project was designed by Arcadis U.S., Inc