The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) is one of the oldest and largest regional sewerage commissions in the United States, in terms of operational capability. It serves more than 1.5 million residents in the 48 municipalities of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union and Passaic Counties. STV is currently performing design services for resilient design measures that are being developed to protect PVSC’s wastewater treatment plants in Newark, NJ.

During Superstorm Sandy in 2012, brackish floodwaters from Newark Bay inundated tunnels and damaged pumping equipment at the plant. Post-storm, the plant was inoperable for 48 hours and with reduced treatment capacity for the following two weeks.

To reduce risks associated with future storm events, PVSC, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, launched an ambitious resilience program to protect the 140-acre site. STV provided design services for a 2.5-mile-long floodwall to surround the plant and protect the infrastructure. As part of the design process, the team performed a site-specific coastal model for a 500-year mean recurrence interval to accurately predict wave and surge elevations at each plant segment.

To incorporate green infrastructure elements into site improvements as part of this project, STV designed a feature space for employee outdoor use, as well as a porous concrete walking path with benches.