This study was required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program. The goal of this program is to protect, conserve, and restore the waters of the harbor estuary that do not fully comply with water quality standards. However, the EPA will be considering costs, together with attainment of water quality goals and standards, in establishing the total maximum daily load (TMDL) for the estuary. The TMDL will then dictate the required levels of treatment.

Improving Regional Water Quality

The study evaluated upgrade alternatives and developed capital and operations and maintenance cost estimates to upgrade 11 wastewater treatment plants in Northern New Jersey to achieve three different levels of enhanced carbon and nitrogen removal. The 11 plants are owned by 10 different authorities that comprise the New Jersey Harbor Discharges Group. Collectively, members of this group discharge approximately 750 million gallon daily (MGD) of treated wastewater to the New York-New Jersey Harbor.

Scaling Projects to Suite Conditions

Kleinfelder evaluated the plants on the basis of treatment type and capacity. The plants included pure oxygen activated sludge, conventional activated sludge, and trickling filter technologies. Capacity varied from 330 MGD to 2.9 MGD.

Project Results

Kleinfelder staff led all meetings and delivered all presentations to the New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group. We also delivered all presentations to the EPA.

Project Details

Location:
Northern New Jersey

Owner:
New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group (NJHDG)