Politics & Government

County Ready to Repair Point Beach Stormwater Pump System

Storm water now being pumped onto the oceanfront instead of into Lake of the Lillies

Ocean County officials are ready to seek bids for repairs to a pumping station in Point Pleasant Beach that is currently not functioning as it should.

The pumping system, county engineer Frank Scarantino explained, drains water from Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head and is designed to pump it into Twilight Lake in Bay Head. A backup system pumps stormwater onto the beachfront off Beacon Lane.

But the line that carries water to Lake of the Lillies has "collapsed," Scarantino said, meaning all of the water that runs through the pump system gets discharged onto the beach.

"We're getting many, many calls on this every time it rains," said Freeholder Director Jack Kelly.

"The philosophy on this is that the storm water goes on the beach and the solids get filtered out," said Freeholder James Lacey. "This is the best of a bad situation."

On Wednesday, there was a path squarely cut by stormwater from the beachfront pump bunker to the ocean, presumably left over from Tuesday's heavy rainstorm.

The system is powered by two electric motors, Scarantino said, though a larger diesel engine kicks in during extra heavy rain events.

The freeholders said bids for the repair project would be ready to go out soon. County officials are estimating the repairs will take 30 days to complete and will cost about $200,000.


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