Created in 1994 as part of a reorganization of City government the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities operates as two self-liquidating utilities and is one of the largest publicly owned and operated water purveyors in the nation, delivering over 80 million gallons daily of premier quality, superior tasting drinking water serving approximately 400,000 residents and other industrial and commercial facilities dependent on Newark for their water supply. 

 The Department is charged with the responsibility of managing a very precious water resource and providing residents and business customers with a continuous supply of water, in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, while meeting and exceeding all state and federal regulations.  Additionally, the Department’s purpose is to collect and convey sanitary sewage to the appropriate wastewater treatment facilities, manage storm drainage and provide combined sewer overflow improvements to abate pollution in the waterways in and around the City.

 Newark’s water supply has long been a most valuable asset.  The Department of Water and Sewer Utilities remains committed to protecting its vast assets and investments by insuring, maintaining and safeguarding the integrity of our water infrastructure and distribution system, which includes 500 miles of distribution mains and pipeline, varying in size from 4-inch to 60-inch diameter;  5,092 hydrants; 9,926 control valves; 80 miles of transmission aqueducts, structures and right of ways through 3 counties and 23 municipalities; Pequannock Watershed; Pequannock Water Treatment Plant; five reservoirs with nine dams; six outlet structures and 64 square miles of woodland

 Similarly, the Department is dedicated to maintaining our sewer infrastructure and collection system, which includes 420 miles of collection mains of which 50% is vitrified clay and 20% is brick, varying in size from 8-inch to 120-inch diameter; over 7,600 catch basins; 17 combined sewer overflow structures with seven (7) netting facilities and six (6) screening facilities; two (2) storm water pumping stations; five (5) storm water drainage outfalls; and the South-Side Interceptor, a four (4) mile trunk sewer main that transports the wastewater from the southern part of the City directly to the treatment plant.