Superstorm Sandy and the North Hudson Sewerage Authority: Effective Utility Management Helped Get NHSA in Recovery Status Quickly, Safely

The North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) system, located in New Jersey across the Hudson River from New York City, bore the brunt of Hurricane Sandy as it made landfall in October 2012. The NHSA's Adams Street Wastewater Treatment Plant and administrative headquarters in Hoboken and major portions of the system were inundated under the 4.27-meter (14-foot) storm surge. Lessons learned from earlier storms and significant pre-storm preparation while working closely with partners CH2M HILL, the Authority's contract operator, to mobilize support teams and equipment, enabled the NHSA to quickly get back on line after Sandy's passage, retuning to operation at permit compliance levels within 40 hours of the storm's arrival. This paper describes the nature of the challenge faced; the measures taken before, during, and after Sandy's arrival; and how the Authority is working with community leaders to deal with local flooding issues and minimize damage from future storms.