Business & Tech

New Systems Generate Better Disinfection at Western Monmouth Utilities Authority

Safer and more environmentally effective systems officially opened at the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority

Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas and Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik ceremoniously cut ribbons for the new Headwork’s Project and Ultra Violet Light Disinfection System at the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority (WMUA) on Thursday, May 19.

Manalapan Township Commissioners Steve Toubin and Stephen McEnery and Marlboro Township Commissioners Joe Pernice and Jeff Rosen sponsored the ribbon cutting, which took place the WMUA treatment headquarters facility at 103 Pension Rd. in Manalapan Township. 

The WMUA offers sewage treatment to over 25,000 people in large parts of Manalapan, Marlboro, and portions of Englishtown and Freehold Township.  

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The Headwork’s improvements, the first step of the waste water treatment process, created a more efficient system and a safer work environment for employees because they will no longer be shoveling waste with rakes, according to Steven Toubin, the Chairman of the Board of Commissions.  

The Headwork’s improvement has been in the works for around four years and the Ultra Violet Light Disinfection System has been planned for about two years; both initiatives will not have any bearing on the tax payers, Toubin explained.  

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The Ultra Violet Light Disinfection System treats the water with UV rays instead of chlorine, which was used previously to disinfect the water. Employees no longer have to work with chlorine, which eliminates an additional safety hazard, Toubin said.  

Disinfection by the UV bulbs is safer for the environment and for the costumers because no chemicals are added to the water, according to Keith Henderson, an engineer from T&M Associates. T&M Associates was hired by the WMUA to design and execute these new initiatives. 

The ultra violet bulbs kill the organisms in the water, which were used in the system to degrade the waste; this is the newest technology available for waste management facilities.

Approximately 8 million gallons of water is treated through the system per day. Once the water leaves the UV system it reenters the Pine Brook stream, Henderson said. 

Both projects increased energy efficacy, environmental standards, better safety conditions, overall cost savings, and a greater operational capacity.  

Another energy saving idea was placing solar panels in the basin to power the mixers. The solar panels decreases the electric bill, which is one of the WMUA’s most significant costs, according to Toubin.  

When asked how Toubin felt about the official ribbon cutting he replied, “It’s on to the next project.”


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