Veolia breaks ground on $38 million infrastructure project in West Milford
L to R: John Hildabrant, Director of Operations, Veolia; .Frank Visingardi, HDR; West Milford Mayor Michele Dale; Alan Weland, Regional President, Veolia; Karine Rouge, CEO Municipal Water, Veolia; Susan Rosenwinkel, NJDEP Director, Division of Water Quality; Marian Abdou, Commissioner, NJBPU; Peter Drake, Bald Eagle Village HOA President; Charles Bycroft, J Fletcher Creamer.
WEST MILFORD - Veolia North America has broken ground on a $38 million two-treatment plan infrastructure project that it says will revolutionize wastewater treatment in West Milford. Both treatment plants are anticipated to be completed in mid-2027.
The company, headquartered in Paramus, characterizes the project as “a critical investment in environmental protection and public health that will impact generations to come.” The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Beacon Hill Road in West Milford on June 11.
State and local officials, including West Milford Mayor Michele Dale, joined in the celebration. The project is part of a larger $74 million investment by Veolia in West Milford since the company acquired aging water and wastewater systems from the township in 2018.
The money Veolia has invested in West Milford has created construction, engineering, laboratory, consulting, landscaping, hauling and other jobs. State officials estimate that 16 jobs are created for every million dollars spent on water infrastructure.
The two new plants will improve the health of the ecosystem in the region, Veolia says. The facilities will feature Veolia’s advanced ZeeWeed membrane technology with ultra-filtration systems for water treatment.
The new facilities will replace two aging plants the company acquired from West Milford. The outdated plants pose environmental risks, company officials say, making the project essential to protecting the local ecosystem and residents in the area. The current plants cannot meet standards for discharge into the ground and waterways.
The company says there will be no disruption to water or wastewater service during construction.
