Overview

In 2007, Brick Utilities continued participation in the Partnership for Safe Water, a national initiative to help achieve operational excellence in surface water treatment. The partnership was developed through cooperation among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the States, and water supply associations to provide better protection for consumers from microbial contaminants that can cause intestinal illness. 

The Brick Reservoir project was completed in 2004.  This 1-billion gallon raw water storage reservoir will ensure an adequate water supply for the customers of the Brick Utilities far into the 21st Century.  Combined chlorine, or chloramine, replaced free chlorine in 2004, and has greatly reduced taste/odor customer complaints and disinfection by-products.  A process pH modification has significantly reduced discolored water events in the distribution system.

Within the water treatment plant, Brick Utilities maintains a laboratory that is certified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.  The laboratory, which has operated continuously since 1975, enables the Authority to perform tests on untreated and treated water in excess of the number of tests that are required by state or federal regulations.  The Authority believes that testing beyond what is required is prudent, considering that 74% of the water that is treated comes from the Metedeconk River.  The river is fed by a 70-square mile watershed that is subject to both natural and manmade contamination, which can cause the quality of the source or untreated water to change.