What Areas Does the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant Cover?

The Pequannock water treatment plant is a crucial infrastructure that delivers clean, safe, and reliable water to thousands of residents and industries across Morris, Passaic, and Sussex Counties in New Jersey. The facility is owned and operated by the New Jersey American Water Company, and it has undergone significant upgrades and expansions to meet the growing demand for high-quality water in the region.

The Service Area of Pequannock Water Treatment Plant

The Pequannock water treatment plant serves an extensive region that spans over 2,500 square miles, encompassing dozens of municipalities, townships, and communities. Some of the major areas covered by the facility include:

Morris County: Boonton, Chatham Township, Chester, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Harding, Jefferson Township, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Mine Hill Township, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown, Mount Arlington, Mount Olive, Mountain Lakes, Netcong Borough, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, Pequannock Township, Randolph, Riverdale Borough, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Roxbury Township, Victory Gardens Borough, Washington Township, and Wharton Borough.

Passaic County: Bloomingdale Borough, Pompton Lakes Borough, Wanaque Borough, and West Milford Township.

Sussex County: Byram Township, Hopatcong Borough, and Sparta Township.

Other communities in the surrounding areas might receive water from other water treatment plants or private wells that are not connected to the Pequannock system.

The Capacity and Processing of Pequannock Water Treatment Plant

The Pequannock water treatment plant has a rated capacity of 32 million gallons per day (MGD) and can store up to 48 million gallons of water in its reservoirs. The facility draws raw water from the Wanaque and Upper Greenwood Lake reservoirs, which are fed by the Wanaque and Ramapo Rivers, respectively. The water is screened, filtered, disinfected, and chemically treated to meet the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

The treatment process involves several steps, including:

Screening: Removing debris, leaves, and large particles from the water.

Coagulation and flocculation: Adding chemicals and mixing to make small particles stick together and form larger flocs that can be removed easily.

Sedimentation: Allowing the flocs to settle to the bottom of the tanks and removing the settled particles, called sludge.

Filtration: Passing the water through several layers of sand, gravel, and anthracite to remove even smaller particles and impurities.

Disinfection: Adding chlorine or other disinfectants to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that might be present in the water.

Chemical treatment: Adding lime, fluoride, or other chemicals to adjust the pH, hardness, and other properties of the water to make it safe for human consumption.

Once the water is treated and disinfected, it is pumped into the distribution system through a complex network of pipes, valves, and pumps that deliver water to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other customers throughout the service area.

The Benefits of Pequannock Water Treatment Plant

The Pequannock water treatment plant offers numerous benefits to the communities and industries it serves, including:

Providing safe, clean, and reliable drinking water that meets or exceeds the standards set by the EPA and NJDEP.

Reducing the risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, that can be caused by contaminated water.

Protecting the environment and preserving the natural resources, such as rivers, lakes, and forests, that are essential for the health and well-being of the communities.

Supporting economic growth and development by providing the necessary water supply and infrastructure for industries, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

Enhancing the quality of life and the overall health and safety of the residents by ensuring that they have access to clean and affordable drinking water.

Overall, the Pequannock water treatment plant plays a vital role in the water supply and infrastructure of the region, and it will continue to serve the needs of the communities for years to come.