A description of the work I completed during my internship with Middlesex County Office of Planning.

1. Internship Abstract
Title: Middlesex County Wastewater Master Plan
Name: Jessica Alvarez
Preceptors: Mirah Becker, Director ofComprehensive Planning
Agency: Middlesex County Planning Department
Purpose: To update the 2008 Middlesex County Wastewater MasterPlan
Significance: The purpose of the Wastewater Management Plan (WMP) for Middlesex County is to
ensure the document adheres to the newest Water Quality Management Planning Rules, adopted
November 6, 2016. The WMP is required for submittal to the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP) under the New Jersey Water Quality Planning Act (N.J.S.A. 58:11A-1 et seq.) and
Section 208 of the Federal Clean Water Act. Unlike other counties, Middlesex County has experienced
sustained population growth for the last several decades. The population growth has led to an increase in
development throughout the county. Centralized sanitary sewer infrastructure plays a vital role in the
expansion of these areas. The wastewater planning process takes precaution to carefully study
geographical areas that can be included in the sewer service area.
Method/Approach: Middlesex County is part of the Lower Raritan sewer service area. From here, GIS is
used to assess the eligibility of the area. The areas are split into three distinct categories: assigned sewer
service areas,unassigned sewer service areas,and environmentally sensitive areas. Assigned sewer
service areas are areas of land that have sewer infrastructure that feed to a sewage treatment plant that
treats the wastewater for discharge to surface water. Unassigned sewer service areas are zones mapped for
future sewer service but do not have a designated treatment facility. Lastly, environmentally sensitive
areas are at least 25 acres and consist of endangered or threatened species,wetlands, NaturalHeritage
Priority Sites, or Category One Special Water Resource Protection.
Outcomes/Results: Once the area is defined under these three categories,planners can then proceed onto
the facilities themselves. Under the New Jersey Water Quality Planning Act, treatment facilities are to
report their daily discharge to the NJDEP and County. The discharge number is then used to calculate the
future flow projection. Each facility is assigned a permitted flow number. The existing flow, and
permitted flow are responsible for the future flow projection. Future flow projections predict whether or
not a facility will be able to withstand future wastewater demands as the population continues to increase.
Evaluation/Conclusion: The completed GIS map will allow Middlesex County to be in compliance with
state regulations. The hardest challenge faced is reaching out to individuals and getting information on
their facility. Overall, legislation is a slow and methodical process.