Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) announced that the Ocean County Utilities Authority (OCUA) has received $1.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a wastewater treatment improvement project. The funding was secured through an earmark included by Smith in the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
“I am pleased to announce that the Ocean County Utilities Authority—which owns and operates the Central Water Pollution Control Facilities (CWPCF)—has met all requirements and is now receiving the $1.5 million in federal funds I secured to help replace and upgrade its Primary Digester No. 2, significantly improving the longevity, durability, and reliability of the wastewater treatment infrastructure servicing Ocean and southern Monmouth counties,” said Smith.
“This federal support and partnership with the OCUA will help to repair and upgrade the systems at the treatment plant and aid in improving the safety, environmental conditions, and efficiencies in the treatment and disposal of wastewater and byproducts for those residential and business customers in Ocean and Monmouth counties,” continued Smith.
Smith explained that this project brings back taxpayer dollars to his congressional district, supporting capital expenditures for Ocean County.
He also noted that this $1.5 million is part of a first phase of federal support for OCUA’s wastewater management facility. A second round of funding—about $1.1 million—was recently passed by the House as part of another appropriations act for 2026. If approved by the Senate, these funds are expected to be available next year.
Chris Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th District in Congress since 1981 after succeeding Frank Thompson. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey, in 1953, graduated from The College of New Jersey with a BS degree in 1975, and currently lives in Manchester Township.
