May 08, 2020
UPDATE: MAY 8, 2020
- All water samples have tested below limits for enterococcus.
- As determined by the Atlantic City Health Department and the NJDEP, the area may reopen to recreational activities, and all warning signs will be removed.
- It is expected that work will continue on the ultimate repair of the pipeline for several months, but will not affect activities in the area.
UPDATE: APRIL 30, 2020
- The bypass was turned online and successful at 1:10 a.m.
- Follow-up enterococcus testing will be performed in the coming days to determine when it is safe to reopen area waterways to recreational activities.
UPDATE: April 29, 2020
- The bypass is on schedule to be installed tonight in the
overnight hours. It is ready for operation and has been pressure tested.
- The applicable ACUA, Ventnor Water and Atlantic City
Sewerage Company Pump Stations will be shut down to minimize pressure during
activation.
- Preliminary
results for enterococcus are high around the break, as expected. Follow-up
testing will resume in the coming days once the bypass is in place. The
Atlantic County Health Department in conjunction with NJDEP will perform
additional testing along Beach Thorofare at West End Avenue, Wellington Avenue
and Ventnor Heights on Monday.
UPDATE: April 27, 2020
- The contractor worked throughout the weekend to complete the fusing of all pipeline needed for the bypass.
- The tapping pit for the bypass at the north end is nearing completion.
- The bypass is expected to be in place and activated on Wednesday evening during a period of low flows.
- NJDEP will commence testing Tuesday morning in coordination with the Atlantic County Health Department and ACUA. Testing will be completed between Jackson Ave to Inside Thorofare (Ventnor side) and Weston Ave (AC side). If necessary, Atlantic County will be engaged for additional testing.
UPDATE: April 24, 2020
Progress continued today despite some delays in the morning due to the weather.
- 2000 ft. of the 2,200 ft. of pipeline needed has now been fused.
- The tapping pit for the bypass on the south end by Albany Ave was completed, and work on the north-end will begin tomorrow, Saturday, April 25. Contractors expect to work through the weekend.
- Testing for Enterococcus will be performed on Monday along the Atlantic City boundaries. NJDEP will perform the testing in coordination with the Atlantic County Health Department and ACUA. If necessary, Atlantic County will be engaged for additional testing.
- The bypass project is still on pace to be completed by mid-week next week.
UPDATE: April 22, 2020
Significant progress has been made to install an emergency bypass and ultimate repair of a leak.
Arthur Henry is currently excavating the site where the temporary bypass will be installed to redirect the flow of wastewater while the pipeline is repaired. The delivery of 2,200 ft. of pipe and the fusion of 800 ft. of pipe has also been completed since work began on Monday, April 20.
The bypass is expected to be in place by the middle of next week, weather pending.
To mitigate contamination from the leak, ACUA has increased sodium hypochlorite at its Longport and Broadway pumping stations, which will provide added disinfection. Hay bales have also been installed along the Beach Thorofare to further assist in filtering discharge.
All recreational activities in the bay are currently suspended. Testing will be performed regularly to determine when the area can reopen for activity.
ACUA is requesting that residents and businesses located in Longport, Margate, Ventnor and the Chelsea Heights section of Atlantic City, as well as Seaview Harbor, conserve water to help alleviate and minimize flow through the force main.
Please note the sewer line break has no impact on the quality of drinking water.
As a reminder, anyone who suspects a sewage leak should report it to the NJDEP hotline that is staffed 24/7 at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).
UPDATE: April 21, 2020
ACUA's contractor began work to prepare the site for the bypass Monday, April 20.
Material has been cleared away from the break point and filtration measures will be installed.
Today, the first load of pipe was delivered and preparation for the bypass continues.
ACUA has increased sodium hypochlorite at our Longport and Broadway pumping stations to provide added pretreatment disinfection to the line before the area of the leak.
APRIL 18, 2020 - Sewer Leak Discovered on Bader Field in Atlantic City
Sewer leak discovered in Atlantic City on the Bader Field site closest to Route 40/Albany Avenue. Residents are urged to reduce water consumption during installation of the bypass system.
On Saturday, April 18, 2020, Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) learned of a failure in its 30” force main that services the Downbeach communities, as well as the Chelsea Heights section of AC and Seaview Harbor Marina in Egg Harbor Township. The location of the leak is on the Bader Field site closest to Route 40/Albany Avenue (Beach Thorofare area).
ACUA’s emergency contractor, Arthur Henry, was on the site within hours and will begin preparing the site first thing Monday, April 20, so a bypass system can be installed.
ACUA experienced a similar leak on this line in September 2017, and immediately following the repair, commenced design and permitting for the replacement of the entire line. The design is completed, and ACUA was set to advertise for bids upon receipt of the final permits from NJDEP and other regulatory agencies. The receipt of all requisite permits was anticipated to occur within the next month. Notwithstanding the permit timeframe, ACUA will invoke the ultimate repair as set forth in the design plans currently under review.
- ACUA is requesting that residents and businesses located in Longport, Margate, Ventnor and the Chelsea Heights section of Atlantic City, as well as Seaview Harbor, conserve water to help alleviate and minimize flow through the force main.
Please note the sewer line break has no impact on the quality of drinking water.
