hoboken

The City of Hoboken and North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) today announced the installation of five new stormwater pumps at ResilienCity Park, a critical milestone in Hoboken’s and NHSA’s long-term effort to combat flooding and improve climate resiliency.  

As part of Phase III of NHSA’s H6/H7 Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP), the pump installation is a transformative development in the City's efforts to manage stormwater and reduce sewer overflows during heavy rainfall events.

Mandated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the 25-year LTCP, includes projects to increase treatment plant capacity and build detention facilities for better stormwater management. NHSA is the first wastewater authority in New Jersey to complete its CSO LTCP and gain approval from the NJDEP, underscoring its leadership in environmental protection.

The H6/H7 project will modernize Hoboken’s sewer infrastructure, reduce the risk of flooding and enhance water quality. This includes constructing a high-level storm sewer system that will work alongside the new stormwater pump station and the 1-million-gallon storage tank beneath ResilienCity Park. The new ABS/Sulzer Submersible Non-clog Pumps will be able to push approximately 30 million gallons of stormwater per day (or 20,000 gallons per minute) out of the storage tank to the Hudson River during a storm event. The stormwater removed will free up capacity at the treatment plant and reduce combined sewer overflows to the river.

“Today’s announcement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect Hoboken residents from flooding,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “Through our partnership with NHSA, we are investing in critical infrastructure to create a more resilient city for future generations.” ‍

Dr. Richard J. Wolff, NHSA‘s Executive Director, said: “The installation of the pumps at ResilienCity Park is a milestone for our Longterm Control Plan and a major step in mitigating flooding and contributing to a cleaner Hudson River. NHSA’s investment in the pump station and necessary sewer upgrades around the park is close to $100 million, $58 million of which came from the Biden infrastructure program. This is an indication of how seriously NHSA takes its responsibility to the community. Although it may seem like a distant goal, we thoroughly endorse the NJDEP’s long-term effort to make the Hudson River swimmable once again.  I would like to thank the Mayor for his constant cooperation and Congressman Rob Menendez for his support for this project.”

“This is an important environmental and quality of life project for Hoboken and NHSA’s entire service area,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “I am proud to have supported the federal funding that made this possible and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community. This is yet another example of the importance of continued infrastructure funding, something I will continue to advocate for in Congress."

Hoboken’s low-lying topography and aging sewer infrastructure make it vulnerable to flooding, with as little as 0.8 inches of rain per hour overwhelming the system. ResilienCity Park, along with other resiliency parks, now serves as a critical detention space for stormwater during peak rainfall, helping prevent overflow of the combined sewer system and flooding in streets and basements.

Since 2016, the H1 flood pump in southwest Hoboken and the H5 flood pump in northwest Hoboken have been instrumental in preventing flooding during approximately 88 percent of rainstorms. Together, they have the capacity to pump out approximately 90 million gallons of stormwater per day. The addition of this third pump station at ResilienCity Park significantly expands the pumping capacity and ensures improved coverage in Hoboken’s northwest neighborhood.  

Phase II of the H6/H7 project also includes new storm sewers and a force main along the Adams Street corridor. These improvements connected the ResilienCity Park storage tank to the NHSA outfall at 15th Street, further improving stormwater management in Northeast Hoboken. Phase III is currently underway and includes new sewer lines and curb inlets to capture runoff and alleviate drainage and potential flooding issues across Northwest Hoboken.

The City is also expanding the Southwest Resiliency Park to further reduce stormwater entering the combined sewer system. The expanded park will detain over 260,000 gallons of stormwater and provide valuable open space amenities for the community, including pickleball courts, a basketball court, a playground, and more.  

These efforts build on Hoboken’s larger climate adaptation strategy, which includes a citywide network of resiliency parks, rain gardens, bioswales, and green building design guidelines for new developments, all designed to absorb and manage stormwater. Together with NHSA’s gray infrastructure improvements, including stormwater detention tanks and increased treatment plant capacity, Hoboken is implementing a comprehensive urban flood mitigation system.  

This coordinated strategy is central to Hoboken’s Climate Action Plan and Resilience Master Plan, which aim to reduce the impacts of extreme weather, protect critical infrastructure, and improve quality of life for residents.  

For more information on Hoboken’s flood mitigation efforts, visit www.hobokennj.gov/resources/stormwater-flood-mitigation.  

For updates on construction projects, visit www.hobokennj.gov/hoboken-construction-updates.  

For more information on the upcoming pump installation, the Long-Term Control Plan, or to learn how NHSA is working to improve infrastructure and stormwater management, visit www.nhudsonsa.com, or follow NHSA on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. ‍

About North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA)

The North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) is a regional authority responsible for providing wastewater treatment and stormwater management services to the communities of Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, and West New York. NHSA is dedicated to improving the health, safety, and sustainability of the region through innovative infrastructure projects and environmental protection initiatives.