File/ACUA contractor repairs a force main serving the Downbeach communities.
ATLANTIC CITY - The Atlantic County Utilities Authority today assured residents of the Downbeach Atlantic City area that a failure in a bypass line has been repaired and the service restored to normal.
It was on Monday, Nov. 9 that the ACUA learned of a failure in the bypass line, which was installed as part of a repair to the force main at Bader Field in Atlantic City. ACUA's contractor has repaired the leak and there is no longer a need for Downbeach residents to conserve water.
The bypass line was put in place in April when a leak was detected in the 30-inch force main that serves the Downbeach communities of Ventnor, Margate and Longport, as well as the Chelsea Heights section of Atlantic City and Seaview Harbor Marina in Egg Harbor Township. The bypass has been in operation since April 30 while work on the force main has been underway.
Repairs to the force main have been completed and the contractor conducted final pressure testing on Monday with the conversion of the new line by Tuesday, Nov. 10. Pressure testing was completed successfully, allowing the contractor to start the process to open the new pipe and to divert water from the bypass to the force main Monday afternoon. The final steps for making the switch from the bypass to the new force main were finalized early Tuesday.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was notified immediately and local health departments and the office of emergency management were notified.
Water testing was conducted and signs were posted in the area near the leak to indicate that recreational activity was temporarily suspended.
The sewer line break had no impact on the quality of drinking water. However, Downbeach residents were asked to conserve water to minimize the amount of wastewater flowing through the system.
According to ACUA Communication Manager Amy Cook-Menzel, the repair has been completed and "all is well."
Additional information will be posted on www.acua.com.
