JCP&L pumps sediment-filled stormwater into 'worst spot in the world' in Deal Lake

A Jersey Central Power & Light Co. inspection of underground electric vaults Thursday resulted in sediment-filled stormwater being pumped into Deal Lake, and the chairman of the Deal Lake Commission is not happy.

"It really fouled the lake up in that one corner. It dissipated over time but still it definitely did its damage, and who knows exactly what was in it. Probably rust, could be oils, definitely sediment," said Don Brockel, whose commission oversees the lake located between Asbury Park to the south and Loch Arbour and Interlaken to the north.

Brockel said he was told residents witnessed JCP&L pumping "extremely mucky" water from a manhole cover into Deal Lake.

"It is actually in the worst spot in the world for Deal Lake because there (are) sewer pumping stations right there for Ocean Township. We all thought it was a sewer pump and the pumping station broke. It looked horrible," Brockel said. 

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He described the water being pumped out as "really mucky stuff." 

"It really fouled the lake up in that one corner. It dissipated over time but still it definitely did its damage, and who knows exactly what was in it, probably rust, could be oils, definitely sediment," Brockel said. 

JCP&L released a statement saying the water "had to be pumped out of the manhole to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical components."

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The utility said "filter socks, sediment bags and containment tanks are deployed to filter or contain sediment-related materials. While the stormwater may appear clear on the surface, the pumping process may disturb or discharge sediments that had settled at the bottom of the vault."

The utility said its environmental team is reviewing the operation and added "the sediment discharged is clean, organic sediment.”

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Brockel remained skeptical all the proper safety rules were followed, saying there appeared to be too much sediment.

"Deal Lake Commission has been doing a lot to clean the lake up," Brockel said. "We put treatment devices in, we put some floating wetlands into Sunset Lake, which filters into Deal Lake. We are doing cleanups twice a year and to have this happen is pretty disgraceful."

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com