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By Jim Lonergan
Published September 24, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Last updated September 24, 2024 at 2:28 PM
MANASQUAN, NJ – Over the past few council meetings, the governing body has highlighted the upcoming water tank project, which will require water restrictions across all of Manasquan. Mayor Mangan initiated the discussion, stating, “These restrictions will not take effect until the end of the month, at least until September 30th. We will be sending out a lot of information on this and using all communication channels possible to reach every household and business.”
The primary reason for the restrictions, according to Mayor Mangan, is the need to clean and repaint the town’s water tower, a critical piece of infrastructure in the water distribution system. “If you’re not aware, the water that comes out of your home faucets is not pumped directly to your home. It’s the sheer force of gravity from the water tank that provides pressure,” Mangan explained. “The tank hasn’t been cleaned in 70 years—actually, it’s never been cleaned. Over time, it degrades, and that’s why we need to scrub and paint it, inside and out.”
The project, expected to take 8 to 10 weeks, will involve using pumps to temporarily replace the tank’s gravity-based system. Mangan noted the challenges: “The pumps will compensate for the loss of gravity, but to the extent that we can reduce the flow and strain on those pumps, it will help. Hopefully, this will prevent the need to open up interconnects with neighboring towns, which could cause issues like discoloration or odors in the water—though that would affect water quality, not safety.
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Councilman Holly added that much of the funding for this $1.4 million project is covered through the Federal Infrastructure Fund. “A significant portion of this project is paid for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We set aside money for this specific purpose a few years ago,” Mayor Mangan reminded the public. Business Administrator Tom Flaherty elaborated, stating that “a little more than one-third of the cost, approximately $490,000 to $560,000, is covered by Federal taxpayer dollars.”
As part of the upcoming water restrictions, Holly emphasized the importance of reducing water usage. “While we all love our lawns and plants, now is the time to shut off the water. Starting September 30th, we won’t tolerate excessive water use. The system is computerized, so we know who’s using water, and we will address it.” Mayor Mangan also reminded residents that some households use well water and advised against making assumptions about neighbors' water use. “We know who uses well water, so before approaching a neighbor, understand that they may be using their own supply. You may even want to put up a sign indicating that you’re using well water,” he suggested.
Flaherty confirmed that as part of the town’s communication plan, they would consider making these signs available to well water users. The town will distribute information through multiple channels to keep residents informed throughout the process, which is expected to last two to three months.
The water restrictions, soon to be communicated outward by the Town, will likely be similar to the restrictions that were included in the earlier resolution and acted upon in early September by residents, which included:
Any additions and/or changes will be forthcoming by the town in a variety of communication formats and channels shortly.
As Mayor Mangan ended the discussion he closed with “we do appreciate the public support of this. It is something we all have to go through as a community together.”
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