New Jersey American Water's new $5 million tower will hold 750,000 gallons.
HARRISON TWP. -- That structure rising from the mud off Bridgeton Pike across from ShopRite is a new water tower.
New Jersey American Water is building the 750,000-gallon water storage tank on township-owned land.
The new water tower in Harrison Township will rise 182 feet when complete. The tower will stand 182 feet high and should be complete in about three months, said Harrison Township Mayor Lou Manzo.
The $5 million project is needed to provide additional water storage, increase water pressure during peak water demand in the summer months, and improve service for firefighting needs, explained New Jersey American Water spokeswoman Richard G. Barnes.
The site will include a detention basin to handle tank overflow and flushing.
The project is unrelated to ongoing growth in Harrison, officials said.
"It wasn't something we initiated," Manzo explained. "It doesn't have to do with buildout of the township."
The company was scouting locations in the area for a new tower and after considering privately owned sites contacted the township.
"They came to us and asked if they would be able to use township-owned land," Manzo said.
The company paid the township $375,000 for a permanent easement on the roughly 2 1/2-acre property, meaning the township still owns the land.
The tower will be painted a cream color, officially known as Sherwin Williams' Cirrus White, Manzo said. The words "Mullica Hill" will be placed on two sides, with no other wording or emblems included.
The tank will go into service by the end of the year, Barnes said.
New Jersey American Water assumed operation of the Harrison water system in 2007, taking over from South Jersey Water Supply Company. The company serves about 3,000 customers in the township.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.