Residents Invited to Review Proposed Changes to Ocean's Wastewater Management Plan

Residents will have the opportunity to question proposed changes to Ocean County's Wastewater Management Plan at a public meeting March 10.

The session is the latest step in a more than two-year process led by the Department of Environmental Protection to update sewer service area boundaries in the county. 

The DEP, in consultation with affected municipalities as well as the Ocean County Board of Freeholders and Utilities Authority, has produced a draft sewer service map covering 17 municipalities: Bay Head, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Brick, Island Heights, Lakehurst, Lavalette, Mantaloking, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Plumsted, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom and South Toms River. The map outlines proposed service boundaries redrawn to eliminate conflicts with environmentally sensitive areas and local planning objectives, the DEP said in a release.

Members of the public can view the maps and pose questions about the planned boundaries at the meeting, scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 10 at Mancini Hall, 101 Washington St., Toms River. Additionally, the DEP currently is soliciting public comment and will welcome input until April 10. To download forms to contact the DEP, and for more information on municipal sewer service map plans, click this link.

The DEP said public input will be considered as adjustments are made to the boundaries prior to the adoption of the Wastewater Management Plan. Residents will have another opportunity to lodge their opinions before the plan goes into effect, as the DEP promises an additional public comment period before final adoption.

Proposed sewer service boundary updates affecting the balance of Ocean County municipalities will be discussed at a future meeting.