Woodbridge Demolishes Abandoned Pools To Prevent The Spread Of Zika

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Similar to what they did last year, Woodbridge Township has been aggressively targeting and tearing down old, abandoned swimming pools this spring, to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds as well as to eliminate Zika virus risks.

The Township recently tore down and removed swimming pools at these three properties: 206 Green Street, 77 Lockwood Avenue and 135 East Prospect Avenue. That's a photo of the demolition at 206 Green Street earlier this week.

“The economic climate of the past several years has resulted in the unfortunate increase in foreclosure actions with a resulting uptick in abandoned and/or vacant properties in many of our residential neighborhoods,” Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said. “Beyond lowering the value of neighboring homes, abandoned and distressed properties cause significant losses in property tax revenue and represent a real safety issue. Many properties also have abandoned swimming pools and other areas that are prime breeding areas for mosquitoes."

In total, the Woodbridge DPW and health department has torn down 33 above- and in-ground swimming pools. The Township itself demolished 18 abandoned swimming pools and individual property owners removed 15 others. The properties where the Township removes pools are either abandoned or are in foreclosure. The property owner is notified they will get a summons if the pool is not remediated. The owner can then comply. If not, the Township gets an order to demolish the pool.

The Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency has identified more than 60 abandoned and/or vacant Woodbridge Township properties. Under Township ordinance, the owners have 45 days to respond with a plan to sell, rehabilitate or otherwise return the property to productive use.

The pools are drained; the stagnant pool water is pumped into a DPW container truck for disposal at the Woodbridge sewer treatment facility and the pool is then demolished.