Government

Brick Reservoir Will Close to the Public Starting Aug. 18 for Major Project

by
Daniel Nee
August 5, 2025

The Brick Township Reservoir (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The Brick Township Reservoir off Sally Ike Road, which hosts one of the most popular walking paths in the area, will close to the public Aug. 18 as a major construction project gets underway.

The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA) approved the project last year, but announced the exact date the reservoir would close on Monday. The closure will last approximately 10 months and is necessary to allow for the completion of infrastructure improvements “to ensure the continued safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability of the reservoir and surrounding facilities,” the MUA said.

The project will significantly improve the 120-acre, 850 million gallon reservoir to new standards with modern materials. The reservoir is built in a former gravel pit that was converted to hold drinking water – and some long-time residents doubtlessly remember the property before there was any water inside it. It runs to a depth of about 80 feet.

Planned for some time, the current maintenance project by the BTMUA that will increase both the capacity and stability of the reservoir. Engineers have been planning the effort for years, taking into account the effects of long-term climate change which could bring longer periods of drought as well as unusually rainy stretches of weather.

The project will increase the overall capacity of the reservoir, raising its depth from 80 feet to about 95 feet. It will also stabilize the banks of the body of water below the steep slopes along the edge which now consist of “rip-rap” stones. A fabric-form concrete mattress will be installed to stabilize the banks where the rip-rap is now located, preventing sand from mixing with the water and having to be filtered out.

The project will also improve the existing sand-covered sloped surfaces. The “mattress” that will be installed will consist of a geotextile structure that will be placed on the side slopes and ledge. Additional upgrades will include the earthwork, sub-grade preparation, placement of stabilization matting, concrete work, and placement of soil erosion measures, plus “incidental restorations,” according to a bid specification sheet.

Dry conditions at the Brick Township Reservoir, Dec. 1, 2024. (Credit: John Barrett)

In the run-up to construction, the BTMUA will continue to lower the reservoir’s water level in preparation for the work to begin. For safety reasons, public access to the reservoir and surrounding recreational areas will not be allowed during this period.

“BTMUA understands this may cause some inconvenience and appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as this vital work is completed,” the agency said in a statement. “BTMUA is committed to providing excellent customer service and to consistently deliver clean, safe potable water and reliable sewerage collection services to our customers through our dedication to continued water quality testing, the protection of our watershed and the maintenance of our infrastructure.”

The appearance of the reservoir will not change significantly, but close observers may notice exposed sandy areas, in the future, having been replaced by the concrete-filled fabric mattress.

The MUA said it will periodically post updates on its website and will announce a reopening date when the project’s timeline becomes more clear.