Garwood’s Old Water Pipes to Get Overhaul

Nearly four miles of aging water mains in Cranford and Garwood will either be restored from within or replaced as New Jersey American Water will clean and line pipes along numerous streets in the two towns. Some of the water mains date back to the late 1800s and are at the end of their useful life. 

The cleaning and lining  project, which will begin this week, involves removing sediment from the 6-inch diameter and 12-inch  diameter unlined cast iron mains, and lining the inside of the water mains with cement thereby fortifying the pipes and extending their use for many more years. When the project is complete in fall 2013, customers will have increased water pressure, improved water quality and enhanced fire service. 

“Cleaning and lining can be efficient and effective in restoring these pipes that were installed around the time of the first automobiles,” said Suzanne Chiavari, vice president of engineering at New Jersey American Water.  “About 15 percent of New Jersey American Water’s sewer or water mains are more than 100 years old. We are working to replace or rehabilitate these pipes to provide high quality water service for the next 100 years.” 

During the cleaning and lining process, water service will not be interrupted to residents on the impacted streets. New Jersey American Water will, however, install aboveground “bypass” water lines to serve its customers while the primary water main is shut down. As part of the project, the company will also replace fire hydrants, valves, and any galvanized iron service lines.

The work schedule will be Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. New Jersey American Water will make every effort to minimize any disruptions to area residents .The following streets will be impacted:

4th Ave in Garwood 
Balmiere Parkway 
Balmiere Rd North 
Balmiere Rd South 
Brookside Place 
Centennial Ave 
Central Ave 
Crescent Place 
Doering Way 
Elizabeth AVe 
Hampton Rd, 
Lincoln Park East 
Linden Place 
Orange Ave 
Orchard Street 
Park Dr 
Riverside 
Romore Place 
Springfield Ave 
West End Place