Research another step in plans to build new desalination plant
CAPE MAY — The city is in the process of replacing its water desalination plant to help deal with the overwhelming demand on the resource, especially during the heavy tourism months.
Councilman Steve Bodnar provided a project update during the City Council meeting Feb. 19, explaining the city has partnered with the Columbia University Sustainability Management Program to research sustainable solutions for water needs and environmental protection.
The city’s consultants are lining up grants and loans to replace the plant, a project with a price tag in the range of $25 million to $30 million.
The plant was built to address saltwater intrusion into the city’s aquifers.
‘There are a number of positives of this project for the city. In addition to the information we get from skilled and knowledgeable individuals, it cost the city nothing.’
–Cape May Councilman Steve Bodnar
Project manager Mike Dziubeck, of Consulting and Municipal Engineers, told City Council in December that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was worried about a capacity shortfall for the current plant.
The reverse osmosis system uses two units referred to as “trains.”
“There is no redundancy in the trains; if one of the trains were to go out of service during a peak day, there would be issues with that treatment plant meeting the water demands of the city,” he said.
The plant is inside the city’s waterworks building, which was built around 1926. The building will be preserved and a new plant constructed in what is now a parking lot.
The new plant would use technology similar to the current facility, he said.
It would need a train for desalination and another to remove iron from the water, Dziubeck said.
Bodnar said Columbia faculty members and students, along with experts in urban planning and nuclear engineering, would conduct the study and provide the city with information regarding consumption and deman as the design process moves forward.
“The information developed through the project includes preparing a complete presentation, including research and analysis,” Bodnar said, adding that the city would provide the information to the organization designing the plant.
The project also includes people involved in similar projects in cities like Ithaca, N.Y., and Los Angeles.
“There are a number of positives of this project for the city. In addition to the information we get from skilled and knowledgable individuals, it costs the city nothing,” Bodnar said.
Bodnar, City Manager Paul Dietrich and Deputy City Manager Justin Riggs have had conversations with the students and faculty involved in the project.
“I think these have been productive conversations where tasks were divided into four groups,” Bodnar said. “[Another focus] is on the project’s funding, and they’re looking at it from their point of view, as well as other grant possibilities that may exist.”
Other areas the project will examine include looking at existing desalination plants regarding longevity and best maintenance practices.
Bodnar said stakeholder engagement is also part of the study, including and educating people on demand reduction and current use trends.
The Cape May Environmental Commission is sponsoring a water audit for winter 2025 to assess how much water is used in homes.
“We are actively looking for people to participate in the water audit, which fits in with the capstone project,” Bodnar said. “This research will be handed over to the city because it provides information on demand and water habits.”
Bodnar noted the audit may look lengthy but most questions have yes or no answers.
“The reason we’re looking at this now and can’t do it in the springtime is because the capstone project is taking place right now,” he said. “If we gather information in the spring, it won’t be helpful for the project, and Columbia University said information provided now will be valuable.”
The audit form is on the city website under boards/commissions and environmental commission.
“We’ll be grateful, and it will help the city and the people design the desalination plant,” Bodnar said.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave