Under this alternative, the City of Cape May has to construct the transmission main or pay for it. In either case the cost will be high besides the city would have limited control over their water supply.

5. Construction of 2 MGD Desalinated Water Supply:

This alternative was evaluated and found to be the most practical and cost effective alternative.

SOLUTION:

Water Desalination Facility is the most acceptable alternative for the City of Cape May. This alternative will help the city to meet its water demand, and reverse/or at least, reduce the salt water intrusion to the Cohansey Aquifer.

This alternative calls for the construction of a 2 mgd desalination facility to be built at the existing water treatment plant. The feed water for the desalination facility will be from the "800 foot Sand" Aquifer. The water from this aquifer is expected to be brackish, similar in character to portions of the Cohansey Aquifer that have already been influenced by salt water intrusion. A reverse osmosis process using ultra low pressure, thin film composite membranes will reduce the brackish water salinity to a level suitable for potable use.

This alternative could be constructed in stages that the city could financially afford, and meet their future water demand. The estimated project cost of this alternative is $5.3 million.

This technology of desalination of the salt water, has been used overseas by our American Arm Forces. Therefore, it is not a new technology. However, it is the first time for this technology to be applied in the State of New Jersey. If this technology proves to be practical and cost effective, the shore communities, which are under the threat of salt water intrusion, will be looking forward to utilizing this desalination process for their water supplies.