SWEDESBORO — Despite initial concerns about the high price tag, the Borough of Swedesboro will not need to bond for funds to address its water treatment infrastructure. At the regular council meeting on Sept. 21, the council adopted an ordinance reallocating old funds to cover the $180,000 repairs.
Ordinance O-11-2026 cancels and reappropriates funds from the borough’s 2021 water utility improvement project to be used for remediating an out-of-commission water treatment tank. Swedesboro Mayor Tom Fromm said that the borough had remaining funds from the previous project that it had already bonded for.
Addressing the borough’s water treatment infrastructure has been a priority for the council since late July. The water treatment plant uses four tanks for water filtration. While three of those tanks are succumbing to old age, one is in need of immediate remediation of its sand filter media.
Fromm said that with the new ordinance adopted, the borough would be able to issue a purchase order within the week to be able to begin fixing the tank in early October. The total time for repairs should take one week. The project will not address the additional two aging tanks.
Fromm previously said that under state law, the borough is allowed to move forward with the $180,000 proposal without a public hearing or council review, due to the urgent nature of the project in its ability to supply water to the community.
In additional infrastructure news, Fromm informed the council that the project to establish an interconnection water line with Aqua is making progress. At the August council meeting, Fromm explained that it was time for the borough to move forward with the project to make sure that water could be provided to the community in the event of borough service disruptions or emergencies.
Aqua is the primary driver of the project with the water line and supply would be directed by the company. Fromm said that necessary permits have been received, and the project is in the final stages of planning.
The installation of the line will run from Center Square Rd., up through the traffic circle and the railroad. Aqua and the borough will split the cost of the construction.
While the final price is not yet known, Fromm expressed that there will be a significant cost. While the council may have to bond for the project, Fromm said that there are still funds available from the 2021 water improvement bonds that could potentially offset the cost.
