Printed on recycled paper

The Atlantic County Utilities Authority isresponsible for enhancing the

quality of life through the protectionof waters and lands from pollution

by providing responsiblewaste management services.

The Authority is an environmental leaderand will continue to use new technologies,

innovations and employee ideasto provide the highest quality and mostcost effective environmental services.

ACUA

MISSION STATEMENT

ISSUE 40 SUMMER 2003

25YEARS

Wastewater treatment plant celebrates 25 yearsThe facility made clean water a reality for Atlantic County

This map depicts the ACUA pumping stations in Atlantic County.

The ACUA wastewater treatment facility–helping to protect andconserve our most vital resource for 25 years.

In the late 1960s, Atlantic Countyofficials recognized the need toprovide comprehensive waste-water management in the County.Numerous small sewage treatmentplants were located in the County,which discharged to streams, tidalwaters, and other surface waters.These situations resulted in adegradation of the County’s freshwater, estuarine and marine envi-ronments.

In 1969, the Atlantic CountyBoard of Chosen Freeholdersauthorized the formation of theAtlantic County Utilities Authority(ACUA). Implementation of a pro-gram to manage wastewater gener-ated in the County was not onlyvital to protecting the County’senvironment and the health of itscitizens and tourists, but also vitalto the economic growth and sta-bility of the region. New Jersey’scasino industry would not have

been possible without adequatewastewater management capabili-ties provided by the ACUA.

With the necessary state andfederal funding secured, construc-tion of the ACUA’s RegionalWastewater Treatment Facilitybegan on October 23, 1975. Theregional wastewater system beganoperation on September 18, 1978– 25 years ago.

Throughout the 1980s, addi-tional sewage, generated mostly asa result of new residential andcommercial development, theRichard Stockton College of NewJersey, and the growth spawned bythe casino/hotel industry wasaccommodated by the RegionalWastewater Treatment Facility.Established developments withfailing septic systems were alsoaccommodated.

In 1991, Egg Harbor City andthe Garden State Parkway’sAtlantic City Service area divertedall flows to the ACUA facility. Thisresulted in the closure of twoadditional sewage treatmentplants. In 1992, the completion ofan interceptor line extending toMays Landing facilitated the clo-sure of the three additional sewagetreatment plants.

Today, at the Atlantic CountyUtilities Authority RegionalWastewater Treatment Facility,millions of gallons of wastewatergenerated daily by homes, busi-nesses, industries, and institutionsare treated by a variety of process-es to remove pollutants. As aresult, public health and waterquality are more completely pro-tected today than ever before.

Atlantic CountyUtilities Authority

Board of Directors

Atlantic County Recycles!

Produced by the ACUA, this newsletter seeks to educate residents about

Atlantic County’s recycling program, and to promote greater environmental awareness.

Contributing Writers

Monica Coffey…Editor

Jim RutalaRon BerenatoWayne Bryant

Michele BellingerBelinda IrizarryRich Catando

Richard S. Dovey, President

Chris Seher

Michael Epps

Marvin Embry

Matthew Gallagher, Chairman

Dennis Levinson, County Executive

Michele Verno

Vincent Leonetti

Andrew Berenato, Sr.Charles Snyder Illustration/Design

ATLANTIC COUNTY RECYCLES!PAGE 2

There will be a number of curbsidecollection schedule changes due tothe Monday, September 1, 2003Labor Day holiday. These are listedbelow. In addition, the TransferStation, Scalehouse, Landfill andCompost facility will be closing at2:30 p.m. on Labor Day.EcoProduct sales will be suspendedat 12:00 noon.

Residential Curbside TrashCollection:• Trash will be collected inAbsecon and Brigantine on LaborDay.• Curbside trash collection willbe delayed one day in Pleasantvilleand Margate on Labor Day.Monday’s route will be done

Tuesday, Tuesday’s route will bedone Wednesday, etc.

Residential CurbsideRecycling Collection:• Curbside recycling collectionwill take place in Galloway Twp.and Folsom on Labor Day.

Residential Yard WasteCollection:• Curbside yard waste collectionwill take place in Brigantine onLabor Day.• Curbside yard waste collectionin Ventnor will be moved toTuesday, September 2.• Curbside yard waste collectionin Northfield sector “A” will bemoved to Saturday, September 6.

Labor Day collection schedule and solid waste services changes

WhyBiodegradable Leaf Bags?

• can be composted• are cost effective • hold twice as much as a30-gallon trash bag

• are easier to handle becausethey stand up

• are treated to resist moisture

Biodegradable leaf bags:

• Ace Hardware stores• Home Depot• K-Mart• Lowe’s• Sam's Club• Shop-Rite• Super Fresh• Target stores• Wal-Mart• Atlantic County Utilities Authority6700 Delilah Rd., Egg Harbor Twp. Call 272-6920 for more information

WHERE TO BUY:

Commercial Recycling Customers:• All commercial recycling collections normally scheduled for Mondayswill be collected as usual.

.

Miss your recycling day?

As a convenience to its customers, ACUA provides a drop-off for recyclables at the

ACUA Environmental Park, 6700 Delilah Rd., Egg Harbor Twp.

Open Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Saturday: 8 a.m. to Noon

• Each person in the United Statesuses an average of 53 gallons ofwater per day; water poor countriessurvive on an average of 4 gallonsper person per day.

• A leaky toilet can waste up to2,700 gallons of water per day.

• A shower uses 5 gallons of waterper minute; a bath uses twice thatamount.

• Less than 1 percent of the earth’s water is available for our use.

• A dripping faucet can waste up to 2,400 gallons of water inone year.

• Replacing standard shower heads with low-flow shower headsreduces water usage by 50 percent.

• Washing dishes by hand uses twice as much water as a dish-washer that is fully loaded.

• We can’t make new water, any more than we can make newland; we have all the water we will ever get!!

Did you know?

Paul Gallagher

ATLANTIC COUNTY RECYCLES! PAGE 3

Hammonton Highway DepartmentRt. 561 & 11th Street, Hammonton

From the Kitchen:CleanersPesticidesFloor ProductsFurniture Polish

From theGarage:Motor OilCar BatteriesAntifreezeFuels

From the Garden:Weed KillerFungicideInsecticidePoisonFertilizer

From the Workshop:Latex/Oil Based Paint

TurpentineVarnish/StainsGlue/Adhesive

Miscellaneous:Photo ChemicalsLighter FluidMercuryPool ChemicalsStain Remover

• Program open to all Atlantic County residents Proof of residency required: driver's license, tax bill, etc.

• Max. quantity: 30 gal. and/or 200 lbs. dry wt. per household. • Individual container sizes should not exceed 5 gallons.

For more information, call the ACUA at 272-6950 • www.acua.com

Radioactive Materials • Explosives • Gas & Propane Cylinders 2,4,5 Silvex • Infectious Waste • Kepone • Shock Sensitive Chemicals

PCB's • Ammunition • Dioxin • Pentachlorophenol

HHoouusseehhoolldd HHaazzaarrddoouuss WWaassttee DDRROOPP--OOFFFF DDAAYY

Saturday, September 27, 20039 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Unacceptable Materials

Materials accepted for disposal include:

NEXT HHW DROP-OFF DAY:Saturday, October 25, 2003, 9 – 2 p.m.

Atlantic Co. Office Bldg., 6260 Old Harding Hwy., Mays Landing

Pesticide Containers and NurseryPots to be RecycledThe Atlantic County UtilitiesAuthority (ACUA) and the NJDepartment of Agriculture (NJDA)will collect empty, properly rinsed,plastic HDPE #2 pesticide contain-ers on Saturday, September 27, 2003at the Hammonton Public WorksDepartment located at 11th and EggHarbor Road (Rt. 561) from 9:00a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The program isfree and open exclusively to NJDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection (NJDEP) licensed agri-cultural, professional or commercialpesticide applicators (including pestcontrol firms, counties, or town-ships). Homeowners cannot partici-pate. NJDEP’s Pesticide ControlProgram will issue recertificationcredits of one unit of core credit toeach pesticide license holder.Participants must bring their pesti-cide license the day of the event andfollow the rinsing procedure. Non-refillable HDPE #2 containers up to55 gallons will be accepted.

In addition to pesticide contain-ers, HDPE #2 properly rinsed nurs-ery pots will also be accepted.For more details on NJ’s pesticidecontainer and nursery pot recyclingprogram or how to properly rinsethe pesticide containers and nurserypots, visit the NJDA’s web site at

www.state.nj.us/agriculture/recyclingpestcons.htm

Preregistration for the event isessential. To register for the event orfor more information on the pro-gram, contact Ron Berenato, ACUA,at (609) 272-6920 or rberena-to@acua.com, or Karen Kritz, NJDAat (609) 984-2506 orKaren.Kritz@ag.state.nj.us. TheNJDA is also coordinating otherregional collection sites in NJ. Tolearn more about the other regionalsites, contact Karen Kritz or visitthe NJDA’s web site.

WWaasstteewwaatteerr ddiivviissiioonn sseelleecctteeddffoorr GGoolldd AAwwaarrdd

Triple-rinsed 2.5 gallon, #2 HDPE containerscollected during a recent event inCumberland County.

United States Department of Agriculture employee off-loading 55 gallon, triple-rinsed, #2HDPE plastic drums. The drums will be ground up and recycled into new plastic products.

The Association of MetropolitanSewerage Agencies (AMSA) hasselected the ACUA, along withother agencies, toreceive its GoldAward for 2002.Gold Awardshonor treatmentworks that haveachieved 100 per-cent compliancewith their treatedeffluent dischargepermit for anentire calendaryear. AMSA is thelargest organiza-tion of its kind in the United Statesrepresenting over 350 public waste-water agencies and other organiza-tions. AMSA members serve themajority of sewered population in

the country, and collectively treatand reclaim more than 18 billiongallons of wastewater everyday!

Each year AMSA’sPeak PerformanceAwards program recog-nizes member agencyfacilities for excellencein wastewater treatmentas measured by theircompliance with theirNational PollutantDischarge EliminationSystem (NPDES) per-mits.

The ACUA receivedthe Platinum Award in

1998 after receiving Gold Awardsfor the five preceding consecutiveyears. The ACUA will be eligiblefor another Platinum Award in2004.

PAGE 4

Atlantic County Smart Growth Project

The Atlantic County Smart Growth pro-ject had its origins in the CrossAcceptance Process for the StateDevelopment and Redevelopment Plan.The State Development andRedevelopment Plan is supposed to bethe blueprint for sustainable growth inNew Jersey. Atlantic County was criticalof the State Plan’s one size fits allapproach and applied for a SmartGrowth Grant from the Department ofCommunity Affairs in 2000 to analyzethe growth capacity of Atlantic Countyas a whole and the three regional growthcommunities of Egg Harbor Township,Galloway Township and HamiltonTownship in particular.

Goals and ObjectivesThe primary goal of the study was todetermine the build out capacity of theexisting zoning for the whole County,both residential and commercial. In addi-tion, the County wanted to project thenear term population and employmentgrowth along with households. Thisinformation will allow the county and itsmunicipalities to get an idea of theeffects that can be anticipated as a resultof the growth in the region and to planfor mitigation of negative impacts.Secondarily, analysis of the existing landuse and development patterns along withthe environmental constraints allows theCounty to identify those areas that aresuitable for development and those thatare critical for preservation. Finally thisinformation allows the County to sug-gest growth management and mitigationstrategies for the negative impacts of thecontinuing development.

MethodologyThe County started by collecting andcompiling the latest zoning ordinancesfrom each of the 23 municipalities. Thatinformation was then accurately mappedusing the County’s GeographicInformation System (GIS). We then uti-lized New Jersey Department ofEnvironmental Protection data for exist-ing land use land cover and wetlandsinventory. By mapping the zoning, exist-ing land use, wetlands and wetlandsbuffer requirements the GIS staff wasable to determine the amount of landthat was occupied by development, con-strained by environmental issues (wet-lands) and land that was generally avail-able for development. The map belowshows available land in the shaded area.

Using the GIS capabilities of analysis theraw acreage numbers were broken downby zoning area to determine the numberof residential units or potential grossleaseable commercial area. Due to thevariable buffer requirements both inPinelands and CAFRA and variable lotsizes allowed in various zoning ordi-nances a range of residential units resultsrather than a single number.

The County also contracted withAtlantic Cape Community College’sCenter for Regional and Business

Research to review the demographic dataavailable and project population, house-holds and employment to 2010. Thisinformation is very valuable to evaluatethe likely impacts of development oninfrastructure and services and to planfor those eventualities.

FindingsThe data collection and analysis yieldedsome very interesting and importantfindings as shown in the following fig-ures.

PopulationThe population, households and employ-ment figures are predicated upon knowncasino development in Atlantic City andno drastic changes in the residential reg-ulatory practices that would curtail

growth. Both the population and hous-ing projections show 30% or moregrowth in the three Pinelands RegionalGrowth Towns of Egg Harbor Township,Galloway Township and HamiltonTownship. This accounts for almost 75%of the total projected residential growthin the County.

EmploymentThe employment growth is seen largelyin the casino industry and service sectorssupporting the industry. This continuedgrowth in employment drives the hous-

ing market and the commercial develop-ment serving the residential market.

Total Residential CapacityAs stated previously, the residentialcapacity is shown as a range of possibleunits because of zoning and buffer vari-ants. While this wide range makes it dif-ficult to come up with a finite number, itis clear that existing zoning in theCounty’s 23 municipalities allows for adoubling of households and population.There was no attempt to project a build-out year or time frame, however, a quickassessment shows that at the currentprojected rate the County would be fullydeveloped by the end of this century.

ConclusionsThe Smart Growth GIS analysis has

allowed the County to clearly define theexisting growth parameters for the firsttime, assess impacts and suggest mitiga-tion of negative impacts. Further refine-ments of the data will allow for moreconcise and accurate analysis of theCounty’s development impacts, but whatdo the findings mean?

The continued growth in employmentfeeds the residential market and AtlanticCounty remains a desirable place forpeople to relocate to and live. No rocketscience is necessary to see the need forincreased investment in infrastructurecapacity. This includes roads, sewer,water, transit, schools, police, fire, emer-gency and other related capacity. In addi-tion, as population and density increasequality of life issues are more likely tobecome important to County residentsand visitors. Open space, recreation, cul-tural facilities and activities are compo-nents as well as health care and socialservice needs. Fortunately, Federal, State,County and Municipal open space com-bined with regulated land areas results inapproximately one third of the Countybeing preserved undeveloped. Anotherthird is already developed, leavingapproximately one third of the land areaavailable for future development.

The challenge for the County and alltwenty three municipalities will be tomeet all the needs of an expanded popu-lation efficiently while maintaining thehigh quality of life residents currentlyenjoy. Current concerns of funding forschools and public services and theincreasing problems of congestionrequire immediate attention. Water sup-ply and sewer service have sufficientoverall capacity for the near term butcertainly require planning today to meetthe future needs.

All of the Smart Growth Project informa-tion is available through the AtlanticCounty Department of RegionalPlanning and Economic Developmentand has been distributed to all of themunicipalities for their use. TheDepartment continues to update the GISdata for use in all of its daily planningactivities. A current power point presen-tation with more details is available onthe County’s web site at www.aclink.organd any questions may be directed toJohn Peterson, at 645-5898.

ATLANTIC COUNTY RECYCLES!

by John Peterson, Atlantic County Department of Regional Planning and Economic Development

Available Land

PAGE 5 ATLANTIC COUNTY RECYCLES!

In many places in New Jersey,especially in the coastal plain,freshwater is pumped up from theground for drinking and otherdomestic uses. Since we cannotsee or test it until it comes out ofthe pipe, how do we know howmuch is down there, and whetherit will be pure enough for us touse? As we plan for growth, smartor otherwise, we also need to askwhether there will be enoughwater for the future.

Currently, the NJ Department ofEnvironmental Protection and theUS Geological Survey(USGS) arestruggling to employ sound sci-ence to answer all the questions,establish meaningful water bud-gets, and ensure the long termavailability of groundwater. Thisalso means uncovering and cor-recting the mistakes of past plan-ning.

In the past, as long as the totalrainfall exceeded total natural andhuman consumption, statewidedrinking water supplies werethought to be sustainable. NewJersey’s rainfall is fairly abundantat about 45 inches (114 cm) peryear, and this amount greatlyexceeds that which is consumedby people. Past wisdom accommo-dated localized water shortages byassuming that there would bewater surpluses elsewhere, andthat water could always bepumped from a region of surplusto one of deficit.

So everyone was building happilyever after – until the groundwatersupply started going critical inparts of Burlington, Gloucester,and Cape May Counties, andother places in the state. Somewells went dry, and from othersthe water was starting to taste alittle too salty. Then it was discov-ered that in many places we werepumping the water out of theground far faster than it was beingreplaced or recharged. In fact,

most aquifers have had decliningwater levels for many years. Whathappened to the water budget?With the coming of GovernorMcGreevey and the Gibson Bill(which is funding a study tolocate a sustainable water supplyfor Cape May County), the sun isbeginning to shine on hydrologicscience in our state. We are nowbeing told by USGS hydrologistsat public meetings, that the clean-est water that can be pumped withthe biggest pumps without

impacting the surface hydrology isso deep and so old that it cannotbe recharged at anywhere close tothe rate of its withdrawal. Forexample, the 800-foot sand aquiferunderneath Ocean, Atlantic, andCape May Counties contains waterthat is 15,000 years old, and thehydrologic pressure in this aquifer,measured in vertical pressurehead, has declined from about 20feet above sea level in the 1890s toover 100 feet below sea level insome areas today. Pumping, andocean discharging of sewage efflu-ent, are causing a continual netloss of these prehistoric waters.

The New Jersey Coastal Plain islike a slanted layer cake of alter-nating layers of porous (waterbearing) and non-porous (confin-ing) soils, and the USGS is now

endeavoring to age-date the differ-ent water layers to determine theirrate of recharge. Even if therecharge in a given aquifer takes amere 100 years, that may not befast enough to sustain the existingdemand, let alone accommodatemore people and more consump-tive uses.

Reservoirs and the surface aquiferswill be looked to more and moreas the best sources of water forhuman consumption, and to keep

the local water budgets in balance,but there are already a myriad ofproblems that have diverted manybig water suppliers to the lower,confined aquifers. Lower aquifersare drought resistant (until theydry up), they are protected fromsurface pollution sources, andthey are not directly affected byhigh percentages of local impervi-ous surfaces. Their confining lay-ers protect the surface water ofponds and streams and the surfaceaquifers from being sucked dry.

The current and growing focus onstormwater management andaquifer recharge will be extremelyimportant for the future of ourwater supplies. But stormwaterwill not contribute to the lower,confined aquifers unless we pumpit down, under pressure, or wait

for a few hundred or thousandyears for it to get there. In severalof the critical water supply areasthere were moratoriums on with-drawals, and whereas the waterlevels have begun to increase inresponse to reduced pumpage,they are nowhere near their origi-nal levels. The baselines haveshifted.

Water conservation is needed – tosave as much water as possiblethrough efficient and intelligentuse. There are many ways toimplement conservation, andthese will ultimately require ahigh level of cooperation betweenlocal, regional, and state jurisdic-tions.

One major consequence of ourwater shortages is a clear and pre-sent danger to all the non-humananimal, plant and other speciesthat constitute the natural ecology.We saw during the 2001 - 2002drought how reservoir releasespromised to rivers and streamswere cut back. As reservoir andriver waters are siphoned off forhuman consumption, dischargedpollutants will become more con-centrated. The budget decisionsfor water allocation between manand nature will become muchmore pressing, and nature willmost likely be the loser.

As the Gibson study gets movingand other areas of the state beginserious consideration of long-termwater supply, the general publicneeds to realize the importance ofmaking decisions based on carrycapacity. As we conduct build-outanalyses of our communities, wemust change zoning densities ifthe water supply isn’t there. Ifstreams or surface aquifers arebeing polluted, we should add tothe stream-buffers and take otherremedial steps. Now is the time toscrutinize our water budgets – forour families and for our future.

by Fred Akers, Great Egg Harbor River Administrator

Groundwater Shortages: A Story of Net Loss, ShiftingBaselines, and Misconceptions

?

Before ACUA

Before...the waters of ourbays were largelycondemned for thetaking of shellfish

Longport

Atlantic City

Brigantine

1978

Atlantic CountyWater is essential to life and natural

processes on earth. We have learned to use andreuse water in a multitude of ways. However,water is a precious commodity and we have aninherent responsibility to protect it for our-selves and future generations.

The misuse of water became a problem aspopulated areas developed. Wastes from homesand factories were discharged directly intonearby waters. This resulted in contaminationof waterways, which impacted aquatic life andpublic health.

With the knowledge that wastewater mustbe cleansed in order to protect our water sup-ply, many wastewater treatment plants weredesigned, but efficiency was low.

Waters condemnedfor taking shellfish

Waters approved forseasonal shellfishing

Waters approvedfor shellfishing

Water treatment facilities

Before ACUA

After...the waters ofour bays areapproved forseasonal shellfishing

Atlantic City

Longport

Brigantine

Longport

Brigantine

1978

After

Water Quality

2003

Today, most of the small treatment facilitieshave been replaced by the Atlantic CountyUtilities Authority Wastewater TreatmentPlant, where millions of gallons of wastewatercoming from homes, businesses, industries andinstitutions are treated by a variety of processesto remove pollutants.

Through primary treatment, solids found inraw wastewater are allowed to settle to the bot-tom of tanks. The wastewater then flows intolarger secondary treatment tanks. Pollutantsare converted by microscopic organisms whicheventually settle to the bottom of holdingtanks. All remaining water flows from the topand goes on to be disinfected. The clean efflu-ent wastewater is then discharged into theAtlantic Ocean.

The ACUA presently collects wastewaterthroughout central and eastern portions of thecounty.

Wastewater treatment has played an integralpart in our continuing efforts to eliminate pol-lution of our inland waterways, and the protec-tion of Atlantic County’s water supply. Thistechnology, when combined with conservation,will ensure a safe and adequate supply of waterfor many years to come.

ACUA Wastewater Treatment Facility

OceanOutfall

ATLANTIC COUNTY RECYCLES!PAGE 8

CANS & BOTTLES • Newspaper

• White Office Paper

• Computer Paper

• Magazines, Catalogs

• Junk Mail/Envelopes

• Telephone Books

• Paperback Books

• Brown Paper Bags

• Corrugated Cardboardflatten & tie with twine

Place paper recyclables in brownpaper bag or tie with twine.Please NO PLASTIC BAGS.

PAPER &CARDBOARD

Place cans and bottles in your blue recycling bucket, or a properly markedcontainer. Recycling decals are availableby calling 272-6960.

For more information, call the ACUA at 272-6960 • www.acua.com

• Glass Bottles & Jars

• Aluminum & Steel Cans

• Plastic Bottles milk jugs,soda bottles, detergent bottles, or any plastic container with a

on the bottom

• Empty Aerosol Canslids must be removed

• Empty Paint Canslids must be removed

• Household BatteriesNickel Cadmium & Nickel Metal Hydride(Ni - Cd), Mercury Oxide, Lithium Ion (Li - ion)& small sealed lead (PB) batteries are recyclable.These rechargeable batteries can be found incordless power tools, cellular and cordlessphones, lap top computers & camcorders. Batteries must be in a clear plastic bag andplaced on top of your recycling bucket.

orPETE HDPE

DO NOTRecycleThese

Paper•• food boxes (cereal, pasta)•• waxed cardboard•• egg cartons•• gift boxes•• gift wrapping paper•• paper plates, napkins

Plastics/Glass• plastic bags • plastic toys, utensils, lids• china/dishware/ceramics• mirrors/ light bulbs• yogurt/margarine cups• flower pots/trash cans

Metals/Other• pots & pans• aluminum foil• pie plates• pipes/hangers• tire rims• styrofoam

Corey’s workday begins before mostpeople awake. Corey is a RecyclingDriver for the ACUA and on an aver-age day can make as many as 500 res-idential pickups. Corey started hiscareer two and a half years ago withthe ACUA as a handler and thenreceived a promotion to RecyclingDriver. He works alone and his work-day begins at 6:30 am and does notend until all his scheduled pickupsare finished. Chances are that if youlive in Hamilton Township, Folsom,Absecon, Mullica, Linwood,Northfield, Ventnor, Egg Harbor Twp.,

Buena Vista Twp. or Buena Borough,you may see Corey picking up yourrecyclables.

We asked Corey what residentscould do to help his pickups gosmoothly. He stated that residentscould help by flattening and tyingcardboard and clearly marking recy-cling and trash containers. Also, pleasedo not mix paper in with your otherrecycling items, instead place paperitems together in a paper bag andplace next to your recycling container.

Other guidelines residents canfollow to help recycling collection gosmoothly:• Recycle only plastic imprinted witha 1 or 2 on the bottom.

• Plastic bags and cereal boxes arenot recyclable.

• If not using an ACUA recyclingcontainer, please clearly mark andpoke holes in the bottom of thecontainer to allow rainwater to drain.

For more information on recy-cling, please visit the ACUA online atwww.acua.com or call 1-800-613-ACUA.

Recycling pick-up routes aresubject to change, and confusioncan result for less experienceddrivers who have been broughton to replace retiring men.

In former times, maps werecut and pasted, copied and high-lighted by hand. With more than500 miles of county roads and asmany as twenty crews, thetask was cumbersome.

In 2002, ACUA acquiredGlobal Positioning Systems(GPS) and Geographicalinformation Systems (GIS),which has greatly improvedthe operation.

The enhanced capabilityin the seeking and making ofmaps for locating and assign-

ing residential and commercialcustomer routes, streets, waterand sewer lines and pump sta-tions has markedly increased effi-ciency in time, fuel and man-hours, and has become a modelfor recycling companies acrossthe nation.

GPS/GIS makes recycling collectionmore efficient

Meet Corey Linter

RECYCLE THESE

ATLANTIC COUNTY RECYCLES! PAGE 9

100% recycled plastic

Products

American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover acceptedTo order EcoProducts, call the ACUA at 272-6920

Eco Products1 0 0 % r e c y c l e d

Colored EcoChipsRed or Black100% Natural Landscape Product

0 – 19 cubic yards………………………………$24.50/cubic yard100+ cubic yards………………………………..$17.00/cubic yardTruckload Sales (5 cubic yds. delivered)…………...$191.80*

* includes delivery

EcoMulchDouble-Shredded Hardwood

$17.50/cubic yard Truckload Sales (5 cubic yds. delivered)……………$154.70*

* includes delivery

EcoRoot MulchTriple-Shredded Hardwood

$17.50/cubic yard Truckload Sales (5 cubic yds. delivered)……………$154.70*

* includes delivery

The Atlantic County UtilitiesAuthority is a major distributor for the largest manufacturers of recycled plastic lumber.

30 gal. kraft yard waste bags: $10.00 for 25bags – Funnel: $20.00

Recycling Bucket (20 gallon): $10.00

Adirondack chair (colors: white, hunter green,sand, and dark teak)$322.71

6’ Easy Access Picnic Table:$634.35

CCOOUUPPOONN10% Off

expires: October 31, 2003

CCOOUUPPOONN10% Off

expires: October 31, 2003

Atlantic County Utilities Authority ¥ 6700 Delilah Rd., Egg Harbor Twp.

Save 10% on EcoSoil & EcoTopsoildelivered to your home or business

before October 31, 2003

• Made from 100%post-consumer plastic

• Maintenance free

• Graffiti resistant

• Never needs painting,staining or sealing

• Endures sun, moisturecold, and salt air muchbetter than steel orwood

• 50-year limited warranty on decking

• 15-year manufacturer’swarranty on benches

prices include tax and delivery

4’ Park Bench Model: TDB4B $341.79

Also available:

PAGE 10

AACCUUAA ttoo bbuuiilldd ppllaanntt ttooccoonnvveerrtt llaannddfifillll ggaass ttooeelleeccttrriicciittyy

The Atlantic County UtilitiesAuthority will embark on its thirdrenewable energy project with theconstruction of an ElectricGenerating Plant at theEnvironmental Park in EggHarbor Township. In 1992, theAuthority built a geothermallyheated and cooled office buildingand later this year, five wind tur-bines will be constructed at theAuthority’s Wastewater Plant inAtlantic City.

The Electric Generating Plantis expected to produce 1,435 kilo-watts of electric power frommethane gas from the Authority’slandfill. The electricity will besold to the wholesale market andused to power the facilities at theEnvironmental Park.

The process will harness themethane gas produced naturallyas trash decomposes in the ACUAlandfill, a 365 acre complex locat-ed in Egg Harbor Township. Thisgas is extracted using a series ofextraction wells, blowers, and col-lection piping.

Emcon/OWT, Inc., a Mahwah,New Jersey engineering firm thatspecializes in methane to energyprojects, was retained by theAuthority to review three devel-oper proposals. Emcon has rec-ommended that DCO Energy LLCbe selected to build the facility.DCO Energy also built the energyplant for the Borgata Casino andSpa that recently opened inAtlantic City.

“A key to making this energyplant financially viable is toobtain grant support from theNew Jersey Board of PublicUtilities and the New JerseyDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection” noted Jim Rutala,ACUA Vice President.“Governor McGreeveyrecently announced a newgrant and low interestloan program for renew-able energy projects

such as this one.” The Authority will start con-

struction of the first phase of thisproject this fall with the installa-tion of 24 gas extraction wells tocapture and collect methane gasfrom the landfill.

By pursuing this and otherrenewable energy projects theACUA will not have to rely exclu-sively on utilities companies forelectric. The electric utilities weretotally deregulated on August 1,2003 and significant increases inelectric costs are expected. Inaddition, the Authority will con-tinue to expand its use of alterna-tive energy sources to power itsfacilities.

Some facts on landfill gas are:

• 1 million tons of trash in alandfill generates about 300 CIMof landfill gas, which could gener-ate 7,000,000 kilowatt-hours peryear. That is enough energy topower 700 homes for a year.• Utilizing 300 CIM per year oflandfill gas yields the same reduc-tion in greenhouse gases asremoving 6,100 cars from theroad for a year.• Utilizing 300 CIM per yearhas the same greenhouse gasimpact as planting 8,300 acres oftrees.

Atlantic County Executive DennisLevinson recently asked MattGallagher, Chairman of the ACUABoard of Directors, if theAuthority would step in andassume the leadership role in themanagement of groundwaterresources in Atlantic County. Onthe heels of last year’s droughtand the Governor’s moratorium,the County recognized the needto develop a repository of exper-tise in water resource develop-ment, management, planning andconservation.

This new responsibility is con-sistent with the mission of theAuthority (to enhance the qualityof life through the protection ofwaters and lands from pollutionby providing responsible wastemanagement services), and is cen-tral to the underlying policyfound in the enabling statute bywhich the Authority was orga-nized:

“It is hereby declared to be inthe public interest and to be the policy of the State to foster andpromote by all reasonable meansthe provision and distribution ofan adequate supply of water forthe public and private uses ofcounties and municipalities andtheir inhabitants, the collection,disposal and recycling of solidwaste, including sewage sludge, inan environmentally sound man-ner, the relief of lands and watersin or bordering the State frompollution, from domestic, indus-trial and other sources, includingpollution derived from chemicaland hazardous wastes, and thusthe reduction and ultimate abate-ment of the menace to the publichealth resulting from such pollu-tion, and the generation of hydro-electric power.” NJSA 40:14B-2.

The Board of Freeholders willaddress the new scope of respon-sibilities by introducing andadopting an Ordinance designat-

ing the ACUA as the lead agencyfor the County and creating aGroundwater AdvisoryCommittee (GWAC). The GWACwill consist of between sixteenand twenty members, appointedby the County Executive with theadvice and consent of theFreeholders. Their membershipwill be drawn from purveyors,environmentalists, municipal andcounty officials, scientists, realestate developers, farmers, land-scapers and academicians.

The Authority’s role, asdefined in the Ordinance, will beto monitor, review and report ongroundwater issues within andwithout the county as they affecteconomic development and quali-ty of life. The Authority will alsostaff the GWAC, and aGroundwater Team has alreadybeen assembled at the ACUA.

As the ACUA celebrates 25years of successful wastewatermanagement, it welcomes thisopportunity to take a leadershipposition on the freshwater side ofthe spectrum. With the chal-lenges that are facing wastewatermanagement, with issues likereuse, recharging and recycling,having an active role on the frontend of the process, (aquifer pro-tection, allocation and conserva-tion) positions the Authority toassume a global perspective as theregional leader in groundwaterresource management.

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COME VISIT US! We will gladly go on the road to educatethe community about recycling...

April 7 Atlantic County Government DayMay 10 Linwood Country FairMay 17 Atlantic Riding Center for the Handicapped FestivalMay 27 Lambs & Lions PreschoolMay 28 Lambs & Lions PreschoolJune 4 South Egg Harbor School Fiftieth BirthdayJune 7 & 8 Atlantic City Seafood FestivalJune 17 Egg Harbor Township Water FestivalJuly 4 Hammonton 4th of July FestivalJuly 6 Buena Vista Independence Day FestivalJuly 7 Atlanticare PreschoolAug. 7, 8, 9 Atlantic County 4H Fair

ACUA offers free tours of its wastewater treatmentfacility and Environmental Park to groups of all ages

We recently hosted these fine groups…

April 22 Mays Landing Daisy Girl Scout Troop #1556April 29 New Jersey Avenue School First GradeApril 30 New Jersey Avenue School First GradeMay 7 Saint Joseph's Regional School KindergartenMay 9 Mullica Township School Second GradeMay 14 Mainland High School Handicapped ClassMay 16 Mullica Township School Second GradeJune 5 Mullica Township School Second GradeJune 5 Inn the Garden Bed & Breakfast Home School GroupJune 10 Mainland Lions ClubJune 13 Trocki Hebrew Academy Third GradeJune 18 Leeds Avenue School Second GradeJune 4 Egg Harbor City Headstart PreschoolJune 26 Kids Academy PreschoolJuly 8 Egg Harbor Township Recreation CampJuly 9 Egg Harbor Township Recreation CampJuly 10 Kids Academy Day CampAug 4 ARC of Cumberland County Day CampAug 6 Egg Harbor Township Recreation Camp

To schedule a tour at the ACUA, call (609) 272-6937 or (609) 272-6969Groups of all ages are welcome!

The Egg Harbor City Head Start Preschool paid a visit to the ACUA Recycling Center on June 4, 2003.

The ARC of Atlantic County visits with Supercan after a tour.

Atlantic City

Brigantine

Estell Manor

SEPTEMBER ‘03Wed. Sept. 10, 24 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Wed. Oct. 8, 22 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Wed. Nov. 5, 19 – Recycling

SEPTEMBER ‘03Tue. Sept. 2, 16, 30 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Tue. Oct. 14, 28 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Tue. Nov. 11, 25 – Recycling

SEPTEMBER ‘03Thurs. Sept. 11, 25 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Thurs. Oct. 9, 23 – RecyclingNOVEMBER ‘03Thurs. Nov. 6, 20 – Recycling

SEPTEMBER ‘03Thurs. Sept. 4, 18 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Thurs. Oct. 2, 16, 30 – RecyclingNOVEMBER ‘03Thurs. Nov. 13, 27** – Recycling

FolsomSEPTEMBER ‘03Mon. Sept. 1, 15, 29 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Mon. Oct. 13, 27 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Mon. Nov. 10, 24 – Recycling

Hamilton Twp.SEPTEMBER ‘03Fri. Sept. 5*, 12, 19, 26 – Yard WasteWed. Sept. 3 – Metals & RecyclingWed. Sept. 17 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Fri. Oct. 3*, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Yard Waste

Wed. Oct. 1 – Metals & RecyclingWed. Oct. 15, 29 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Fri. Nov. 7*, 14, 21, 28 – Yard WasteWed. Nov. 12 – Metals & RecyclingWed. Nov. 26 – Recycling

*Yard waste collected in entire Twp.Mizpah, Bears Head & Weymouth areas must call to schedule

LongportSEPTEMBER ‘03Mon. Sept. 8, 22 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Mon. Oct. 6, 20 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Mon. Nov. 3, 17 – Recycling

MargateSEPTEMBER ‘03Thurs. Sept. 4, 18 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Thurs. Oct. 2, 16, 30 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Thurs. Nov. 13, 27** – Recycling

Mullica Twp.

SEPTEMBER ‘03Thurs. Sept. 4, 18 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Thurs. Oct. 2, 16, 30 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Thurs. Nov. 13, 27** – Recycling

NorthfieldSEPTEMBER ‘03Tue. Sept. 9, 23 – Recycling

Mon. Sept. 1**, 8, 15, 22,29 – Yard Waste dates for Section ”A”– Mill Road North

Sat. Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Yard Waste datesfor Section ”B”– Mill Road South

OCTOBER ‘03Tue. Oct. 7, 21 – Recycling Mon. Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Yard Waste dates

for Section ”A”– Mill Rd. NorthSat. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Yard Waste dates

for Section ”B”– Mill Road South

NOVEMBER ‘03Tue. Nov. 4, 18 – Recycling Mon. Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 – Yard Waste dates

for Section ”A”– Mill Road NorthSat. Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Yard Waste dates

for Section ”B”– Mill Road South

PleasantvilleSEPTEMBER ‘03Tue. Sept. 9, 23 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Tue. Oct. 7, 21 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Tue. Nov. 4, 18 – Recycling

Somers PointSEPTEMBER ‘03Fri. Sept. 5,19 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Fri. Oct. 3, 17, 31– Recycling NOVEMBER ‘03Fri. Nov. 14, 28** – Recycling

VentnorSEPTEMBER ‘03Wed. Sept. 10, 24 – RecyclingMon. Sept. 1**, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Yard Waste

OCTOBER ‘03Wed. Oct. 8, 22 – RecyclingMon. Oct. 13, 27 – Yard WasteNOVEMBER ‘03Wed. Nov. 5, 19 – RecyclingMon. Nov. 10, 24 – Yard Waste

Weymouth Twp.SEPTEMBER ‘03Thurs. Sept. 4, 18 – RecyclingThurs. Sept. 18 – Belcoville Yard Waste

OCTOBER ‘03Thurs. Oct. 2, 16, 30 – RecyclingThurs. Oct.16 – Belcoville Yard Waste

NOVEMBER ‘03Thurs. Nov. 13, 27** – Recycling

Thurs. Nov. 13 – Belcoville Yard Waste

Residential RecyclingCollection Schedule

Please place materialscurbside by 7 a.m.

Buena Borough

Buena Vista Twp.

SEPTEMBER ‘03Fri. Sept. 12, 26 – Recycling

OCTOBER ‘03Fri. Oct. 10, 24 – Recycling

NOVEMBER ‘03Fri. Nov. 7, 21 – Recycling

Egg Harbor City

SEPTEMBER ‘03Wed. Sept. 3, 17 – Recycling & Yard Waste

OCTOBER ‘03Wed. Oct. 1, 15, 29 – Recycling & Yard Waste

NOVEMBER ‘03Wed. Nov. 12, 26 – Recycling & Yard Waste

Atlantic County Utilities Authority (609) 272-6960 or 1-800-613-ACUA • www.acua.com

SEPTEMBER ‘03Fri. Sept. 12, 26 – Recycling & Yard Waste

OCTOBER ‘03Fri. Oct. 10, 24 – Recycling & Yard Waste

NOVEMBER ‘03Fri. Nov. 7, 21 – Recycling & Yard Waste

SEPTEMBER ‘03Tue. Sept. 2, 16, 30 – Recycling Tue. Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Yard Waste Sector A(includes East side of Shore Rd. to the bay, NorthCurran to WHP, South WHP to California Ave.)Wed. Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 – Yard Waste Sector B(includes West side of Shore Rd. to Galloway Twp.border, Upland to WHP. )

OCTOBER ‘03Tue. Oct. 14,28 – RecyclingTue. Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Yard Waste Sector A

Wed. Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Yard Waste Sector B

NOVEMBER ‘03Tue. Nov. 11, 25– RecyclingTue. Nov. 11, 25– Yard Waste Sector AWed. Nov. 12, 26– Yard Waste Sector B

Please check localnewspaper for

holiday schedulechanges.

LinwoodSEPTEMBER ‘03Fri. Sept. 5, 19 – RecyclingSat. Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Yard Waste

OCTOBER ‘03Fri. Oct. 3, 17, 31 – RecyclingSat. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Yard Waste

NOVEMBER ‘03Fri. Nov. 14, 28** – Recycling Sat. Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Yard Waste

Egg Harbor Twp. - North

SEPTEMBER ‘03Wed. Sept. 10, 24 – RecyclingOCTOBER ‘03Wed. Oct. 8, 22 – RecyclingNOVEMBER ‘03Wed. Nov. 5, 19 – Recycling

Includes all homes along the Black HorsePike and streets north (towards Absecon)

Egg Harbor Twp. - SouthIncludes streets south of the Black HorsePike (towards Somers Point/MaysLanding Rd.), including all of WestAtlantic City

**

Absecon