Nov 09, 2020
UPDATE: As of 8 p.m. Monday evening, November 9, the bypass has been turned off and all flows are now being redirected to the newly constructed pipe.
On Monday, November 9, 2020, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) learned of a failure in the bypass line which was installed as part of a repair to the force main at Bader Field in Atlantic City. ACUA’s contractor in charge of the repair has been on the site and is working to address the leak.
The bypass line was put in place in April when a leak was detected in the 30” force main that serves the Downbeach communities, as well as the Chelsea Heights section of AC and Seaview Harbor Marina in Egg Harbor Township. The bypass has been in operation since April 30 while work on the force main has been underway. Repairs to the force main are completed and the contractor had planned to conduct final pressure testing today with the conversion of the new line by Tuesday, November 10. Pressure testing was expedited and has completed successfully, allowing the contractor to start the process to open the new pipe and to divert water from the bypass to the force main this afternoon. The final steps for making the switch from the bypass to the new force main are anticipated to take place later today or early tomorrow.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was notified immediately and local health departments and the office of emergency management have been notified.
Water testing will be conducted and as a precaution signs will be posted in the area near the leak to indicate that recreational activity should be suspended temporarily.
The sewer line break has no impact on the quality of drinking water. However, efforts to conserve water by the residents of Ventnor, Margate and Longport will minimize the amount of wastewater collected and corresponding the amount of wastewater conveyed through the leak.
