Evesham MUA approves $118.5m 10-year capital plan alongside FY27 budget

Evesham MUA approves $118.5m 10-year capital plan alongside FY27 budgetThe New Jersey utility is balancing a $19.3 million operating budget for FY 2027—absorbing significant bulk water rate hikes—while advancing major infrastructure upgrades funded evenly by bonding and cash reserves.

The FY 2027 operating budget totals $19.34 million, representing a 6.55% overall increase driven largely by bulk water purchases and health insurance.

The $118.5 million 10-year capital improvement plan will be financed through $59.6 million in bonding and $58.9 million from capital reserves.

The board awarded an $808,940 engineering contract for the Cambridge Park water main replacement and a $286,000 contract for a sodium hypochlorite system at the Hopewell Booster Station.

A $69,051 change order for the Woodstream WWTP will retain existing biofilters alongside a new nitrate removal system to prepare for potential future state phosphate limits.

Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority (EMUA) board members unanimously approved the fiscal year 2027 water and sewer budget on April 7, alongside a $118.5 million 10-year capital improvement plan. The $19.34 million operating budget includes a 6.55% overall increase, comprising an 8.52% increase for water and 5.45% for sewer. Staff noted that without uncontrollable cost drivers—specifically health insurance and bulk water rates—the operating increase would have been restricted to roughly 2.5%. The Executive Director stated that New Jersey American Water has proposed a 17% increase for bulk water, while Marlboro's rate is increasing by about 6%. Despite these pressures, the utility is not raising customer rates for FY27, relying on a rate structure last adjusted in 2025. EMUA's 10-year capital plan outlines $77.5 million for water improvements and $41 million for sewer projects. The authority intends to finance the $118.5 million total evenly, utilizing $59.6 million in bonding and $58.9 million from capital reserves. For FY27 specifically, the capital budget allocates $11.06 million for water and $19.75 million for sewer projects. During the meeting, the board advanced several key capital projects. Richard A. Alaimo Associates was awarded an $808,940 contract for survey, design, and New Jersey I-Bank application services for the Cambridge Park Water Main Replacement, which involves installing over 10,000 feet of pipe. Additionally, A.C. Schultes, Inc. secured a $286,000 contract to refurbish the aging on-site sodium hypochlorite generation system at the Hopewell Booster Station. The board also approved a $69,051 change order to Coppola Services for the Woodstream WWTP contact stabilization tank. The utility is currently installing a WaveTech nitrate removal system at the facility. The change order adds 16-inch valves to isolate but retain the plant's existing biofiltration system. The Executive Director explained this proactive measure will allow EMUA to convert the old filters into sand filters if the state introduces future stream standards for phosphates, avoiding the need for a costly new treatment footprint. In other project updates, the utility's engineer reported that the Elmwood WWTP UV disinfection project is scheduled for startup on April 22. EMUA is also coordinating with the Pinelands Commission to acquire 1.5 acres of land from the Samos organization for a future Southside water tower before the surrounding 400 acres are preserved.