City to Apply for $9M Loan to Build Second Wet Weather Pump

Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced on Wednesday morning that the city will apply for a $9 million loan from the Department of Environmental Protection to build a second wet weather pump to complement the current pump on Observer Highway. 

The accompanying cost for the city will be $4,5 million over the duration of the 20-year loan, Zimmer said. Before the city can apply, the city council will have to approve the loan.

"We need to prevent the rainwater from going into the sewer system," the mayor said during a press conference in City Hall on Wednesday morning, where she was joined by United Water and North Hudson Sewerage Authority officials.

The pump — which has been designed and has been described by Zimmer as a "shovel ready" project — would be placed on 11th Street close to the river and service the northwestern part of town.

The NHSA has agreed to pay for the maintenance of the pump, which will be owned by the city.

To completely service the entire city, four pumps are needed in the city. A second pump, however, would service the western side of the city, which is most prone to flooding.

"Hoboken has a serious flooding problem," Zimmer said. "We flood on a regular basis."

The latest flood happened last week during a sudden storm that dumped four inches of water on Hoboken during rush hour and high tide.

"We need to move to protect our communty," Zimmer said. She continued that the pumps are an "emergency measure."

Politico Frank Raia — who is known to be a political opponent of Zimmer as well as a commissioner on the North Hudson Sewerage Authority Board — praised the current administration on Wednesday morning.

"We're going to try to put an end to flooding in Hoboken," Raia said.