BRICK TOWNSHIP MUA RESERVOIR INFRASTRUCTURE MITIGATION

The Brick Township MUA recently closed on two loans from the NJ I-Bank to fund a project co-financed by the NJ Water Bank and the NJ Resiliency Bank. The total cost of the project, as covered by FEMA, is $3,768,154. Of this amount, the federal government contributed $2,826,104, while the remaining $942,050 is a non-federal match. The NJ Resiliency Bank provided $1,040,000, covering the non-federal match and an additional 10% of the expenses. Any additional costs beyond the FEMA-covered amount were financed through the NJ Water Bank.

The project reinforced the upper slopes of the township's man-made raw water reservoir to prevent erosion when water levels drop. Currently, erosion limits the reservoir's usable storage to just the top five feet (between elevations 95 and 100 feet above sea level). This project will stabilize an additional 15 feet of the slopes (down to elevation 80), increasing the reservoir's capacity when the river intake is unavailable. The work involves removing the existing sand layer over the liner and adding a protective layer of geotextile fabric, gravel, and stone. By strengthening the reservoir's banks, this project enhances climate resilience, safeguards drinking water supply, and ensures the long-term reliability of this critical infrastructure.