When Berkeley Heights talk about $60 million in needed sewer system upgrades, it can sound like there’s a detailed engineering report sitting in the Municipal Building that lists every pipe, pump, and repair.

That’s not what’s actually happening. The story is more complicated.

The $30 Million, 15-Year Baseline
When the township put the wastewater system up for potential sale, the bid documents set a baseline: any buyer would have to commit to at least $30 million in capital improvements over the next 15 years.

That number wasn’t taken directly from one master engineering study. It’s more of a planning target for the near-to-mid-term – work the town already knows will be needed.

What the OPRA Records Show
Through a public records request, NJ21st got hold of proposals for specific projects at the plant:

• Raw influent pumps
• Chemical feed systems
• Peracetic acid system
• Enclosed flare
• Sand filter and main pump design
• Switchgear replacement

The items these reports cover align with the one page breakdown on the township website and total approx $36 million. That’s in the same ballpark as the $30 million requirement, once you factor in contingencies and inflation.

The $60 Million, 30-Year Projection
The higher figure ($60 million) isn’t an itemized list you can flip through today. It’s more of a long-term projection that does not seem to be externally validated. Essentially, it doubles the 15-year estimate to account for:

• Replacing equipment that will already have been upgraded in the first 15 years
• Inflation over three decades
• Future projects that haven’t been engineered yet

What’s Still Missing
There’s no single, detailed document that spells out a $60 million total today.

Whether Berkeley Heights keeps the sewer system or tries to sell it again, these figures will help shape future sewer rates. Residents should know which costs are based on actual bids and engineering proposals and which are future estimates before any big decisions are made.

What Residents Should Watch For

Now that the sale is off the table, the $60 million figure takes on a different meaning. Instead of being part of a buyer’s commitment, it’s a number the township itself will have to plan for — and residents will ultimately pay for through their sewer bills.

Right now, there’s no detailed engineering report that lays out exactly how we get to $60 million. What’s on paper today adds up to about $36 million in specific projects — pumps, chemical systems, an enclosed flare, sand filters, and electrical upgrades. The rest is a projection appears to assume another full round of replacements in 15 years, plus inflation. If true, that’s a pretty big assumption.

Without a clear, public capital plan showing the order, timing, and cost of each project, it’s hard for residents to know what will be tackled first, what can wait, and what might never be needed at all. That lack of clarity matters because every decision from here on out will directly affect what you pay.

The takeaway? Until there’s a full, transparent plan, treat the $60 million as a long-term guess — not a bill that’s already come due.

TL/DR

• Documented now: About $36 million in project proposals
• 15-year planning estimate: $30 million
• 30-year projection: $60 million

As a non-commercial and ad-free, free platform, we rely on you to help us grow. If you value independent coverage of local government, please consider helping us out.

Source Documents

Read More Articles on Water and Sewage Privatization

Subscribe to NJ21st For Free

Our Commitment to Ethical Journalism