Major water main replacement project begins in Howell

Water mains in Howell Township are starting to show their age, says New Jersey American Water - so, out they go, in a replacement project scheduled to run through the end of September.

The $3,600,000 project is part of upgrades that the company says it's undertaking in more than 100 communities in its service area.

Streets that will be opened and re-closed include:

• Greymoor Road, from Aldrich Road to Pinewood Road
• Pinewood Road, from Aldrich to Southport Drive
• All of Southport Drive
• Stockton Way, between Southport Drive and Salem Hill Road
• Newbury Road, between Salem Hill Road and Taunton Road near Spring Hill Drive
• Salem Hill Road, from North Longview Road to Chestnut Hill Road
• All of Laurel Court

New Jersey American Water says that most of the 14,500 feet of mains being replaced date back to the mid-1970s,and that the upgrades should improve reliability and flow for household use and firefighting.

Work schedules depend on weather conditions. Final repaving is expected to take place in Spring 2017. Until then, the company urges drivers and pedestrians to use extra caution in work zones.

Company Communications Director Peter Esbach says that the project will not result in service interruptions or pressure drops, and will not require advance water storage or boiling. The only impact, he indicates, will be slight discoloration, which is usually remedied by running the cold tap until the flow appears to clear.

The New Jersey American Water web page carries additional details. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.