NEW JERSEY — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced more than $7 million in new federal funding Thursday for water infrastructure and flood mitigation projects across North Jersey communities.
The funding, part of fiscal year 2026 Community Project Funding, will support upgrades to drinking water systems, sewer infrastructure and flood protection projects in several municipalities throughout the region.
Gottheimer said the investments are intended to improve water quality, strengthen aging infrastructure and reduce flooding risks while helping offset costs for local governments.
“What used to be ‘once-in-a-century’ storms are now hitting our region almost every year, overwhelming infrastructure that was never built for this kind of rainfall,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “These federal dollars will help make critical upgrades across our region, strengthen flood protections, and improve water quality for our residents.”
Among the largest allocations is $1.092 million for the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority to upgrade nitrate treatment at the Upper Wallkill Valley Water Pollution Control Facility, which serves about 50,000 residents.
Additional projects include $1.092 million for Fair Lawn to rehabilitate aging sewer pipelines, $1 million for Palisades Park to replace sewer infrastructure along Grand Avenue, and $1.043 million for Dumont to modernize sanitary sewer systems and upgrade pump stations.
Other funding includes $600,000 for Washington Township for stream restoration along Musquapsink Brook to reduce flooding, $1.092 million for Cresskill for flood mitigation and environmental improvements along Tenakill Brook, and $184,000 for Fort Lee to improve stormwater infrastructure.
Two additional grants will support local municipal projects, including $850,000 for Glen Rock to build a new Department of Public Works facility and $850,000 for Tenafly to acquire a flood-prone property that will be converted into a mini estuary and pocket park.
Gottheimer announced the funding in Cresskill alongside several local officials, including Cresskill Mayor John Morgan, Palisades Park Mayor Paul Kim and Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko.
The projects are part of broader federal efforts to help communities address aging infrastructure and adapt to increasingly severe weather events affecting the region.
