A seawall is currently being built around the low-lying areas of ACUA’s Wastewater Treatment Facility in Atlantic City to protect critical infrastructure from flooding.
Over the years, ACUA has seen heavy rainfall events increase in frequency. After Superstorm Sandy, it became evident that new levels of protection would be needed to ensure the sustainability of the facility.
“Superstorm Sandy made the notion of climate change a reality. We realized we must prepare for the 100-year-storm to happen more frequently,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey.
Since then, ACUA has undertaken several projects to improve the resiliency of its facilities, such as portable generators, emergency power systems, inflatable barriers and sumps. The seawall is the most substantial of these projects.
The wall will cost $3.7 million and is funded by the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT). It is made from fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) sheet piling that is corrosion-resistant to withstand prolonged exposure to saltwater. The top of the wall will be set 11 ft. above sea level. The exposed face of the wall will vary from 1 to 7 ft. depending on ground elevations around the site.
"The wall is a smart, proactive and crucial investment that will help to protect wastewater treatment, a public health necessity,” said Dovey.