$20.5 M Upgrades Completed at the Newark-Pequannock Water Treatment Plant

Investing in Newark's Water Infrastructure

MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA, NEWARK WATER & SEWER DIRECTOR KAREEM ADEEM, AND OTHER OFFICIALS CUT THE RIBBON WEDNESDAY TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF THE $20.5 MILLION UPGRADE AT THE NEWARK-PEQUANNOCK WATER TREATMENT PLANT

September 17, 2025 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Newark Water & Sewer Utility Director Kareem Adeem, NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Katrina Angarone, and NJ Infrastructure Bank Executive Director David Zimmer cut the ribbon on Wednesday to celebrate the completion of the $20.5 million upgrade of the City of Newark’s Pequannock Water Treatment Plant (PWTP). 

The plant, which provides clean drinking water to almost 400,000 residents in Newark and parts of surrounding cities and towns, now has the capacity to treat 60 million gallons of water per day after undergoing its largest upgrade since first built in 1989. 

(from left to right) Deputy Commissioner Katrina Angarone, Mayor Ras Baraka, Exec. Dir. David Zimmer, Dir. Kareem Adeem, and Newark Finance Dir. Benjamin Guzman cutting the ribbon at the entrance of the Newark-Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. Courtesy of Newark Water and Sewer, September 2025

“We are happy to celebrate this milestone today,” said Mayor Baraka. “Three years ago, we were standing in this same spot getting the project started. Now, the project has come to fruition. I commend Director Adeem and the Newark Water Team for their hard work to ensure the quality, safety, and purity of Newark’s drinking water is the best in the state.” 

Among the upgrades are filter enhancements, the installation of a filter air-scouring system, and a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) for improved operational control and efficiency of the plant. New physical assets were replaced, such as 60 valves and nine backwash pumps, to extend the plant’s lifespan. 

(Clockwise) Dir. Kareem Adeem, Exec. Dir. David Zimmer, Deputy Commissioner Katrina Angarone, and Mayor Ras Baraka sharing remarks at the Newark Treatment Plant ribbon cutting ceremony. Courtesy of Newark Water and Sewer, September 2025

“The upgrades equip Newark to stay ahead of the curve and quickly adapt to emerging contaminants like PFAS,” Director Adeem said. “We thank the Baraka administration and the NJ I-Bank for their support in bringing this project to the finish line. These investments protect Newark’s drinking water and the health and safety of our residents, which has always been our utmost priority.” 

The project was funded by low-interest loans from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, saving ratepayers an estimated $7,555,465. 

Mayor Ras Baraka (left), Newark Watershed Superintendent Kevin Greer (light blue sleeves), and visitors wearing hard hats during a tour of the newly-upgraded Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. Courtesy of Newark Water & Sewer, September 2025.

“Although we’re celebrating today, the work is not over. This fall, we are continuing our investment in Newark’s water infrastructure by installing two additional filters, which will push the plant to produce in excess of 70 million gallons per day”. 

The Baraka administration has invested nearly $400 million in Newark’s water and sewer infrastructure. This does not include Newark’s landmark Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which cost an additional $195 million in bonds. 

For more information about other water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Newark, visit water.newarknj.gov. 

Mayor Baraka (left) and Director Adeem (right) pose in front of the event banner at the Newark treatment plant ribbon cutting ceremony. Courtesy of Newark Water & Sewer, September 2025.

Newark Water and Sewer staff after the ribbon cutting ceremony. Courtesy of Newark Water & Sewer, September 2025.