JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) — It was a win for water quality on Lake Hopatcong last week as Congress passed and President Biden signed off on $750,000 in funding for phase one of the installation of sanitary sewers along the lakefront area of Jefferson Township.
This allocation, included on Representative Mikie Sherrill’s (NJ-11) list of 15 Community Funded Projects, represents a crucial step towards safeguarding water quality and mitigating the risk of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on New Jersey’s largest lake.
“I am proud to have led efforts in the House to cut through bureaucratic red tape and secure funding for Community Projects that will have a tangible impact on our district and state by bringing federal resources back to address our most pressing concerns,” said Sherrill.
“The absence of sanitary sewers in Jefferson Township has long been recognized as a significant challenge to the water quality of Lake Hopatcong,” said Ron Smith, chair of the Lake Hopatcong Commission. “Septic systems, particularly aging and failing systems introduce heightened levels of contaminants and elevated phosphorus levels to the lake, increasing the growth of aquatic plants and HABs and fueling concerns for public health.”
“Since coming into office, the threat of harmful algal blooms on Lake Hopatcong has been one of the top issues I have heard about from local leaders and constituents,” said Rep. Sherrill. “With this Community Project funding, the Army Corps will be able to execute the initial study and design work for the installation of sanitary sewers along Lake Hopatcong.”
“This is fantastic news for the Township of Jefferson and critical step forward in improving the health of the New Jersey’s largest lake,” Jefferson Township Mayor Eric F. Wilsusen said. “We thank Congresswoman Sherrill and her staff for their support in obtaining the necessary funding to initiate this important project.”
“I want to thank the Army Corps for submitting this initial step for a project that is widely considered to be a game changer for HABS on the lake,” said Sherrill. “I also want to thank Mayor Wilsusen and his team, as well as the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and the Lake Hopatcong Commission, for their work on behalf of the residents of Jefferson Township and for their tireless advocacy for this project that will make our communities an even better and safer place to live.”
“As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to protecting the health of Lake Hopatcong,” said Kyle Richter, executive director of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. “We would like to thank Congresswoman Sherrill and her team and all who continue to work tirelessly towards the realization of this vital infrastructure project, knowing that it will have a lasting and positive impact on the health of Lake Hopatcong and the well-being of our community.”
