Savron Highlights DEP Praise for Pike Brook Sewer Facility at Township Meeting

Nicholas Mistretta

At the May 15 Montgomery Township Committee meeting, Township Administrator Lori Savron delivered a report spotlighting a recent high-profile visit to the Pike Brook Sewer Treatment Plant that left a strong impression on state environmental leaders.

Savron began her remarks by praising Sewer Director Christopher Lalicato, who led members of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Clean Water Council on a detailed tour of the Pike Brook facility. The Council, composed of environmental experts, engineers, and policy advisors, plays a key role in shaping New Jersey’s clean water policy.

Savron attended the visit alongside the Council members, who were particularly interested in the plant’s advanced membrane filtration system—an innovation that sets Pike Brook apart for its effectiveness in removing microplastics from wastewater. An emerging field of study, microplastics come from a variety of sources, including from larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller and smaller pieces. In addition, microbeads, a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic.

“This is something we have been talking about recently in our Environmental Commission meetings” said Savron, noting the township’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Savron read from an email sent by Jim Cosgrove, a consulting engineer for the township and a member of the Clean Water Council. In his message, Cosgrove relayed that the Council was “impressed with the tour and the facility,” and that the warm reception and open dialogue had made a strong impression.

“These personal connections go a long way in building good will with the DEP,” Cosgrove wrote, emphasizing the value of collaboration between local officials and state policymakers.

Mayor Singh also expressed appreciation for the visit, highlighting the importance of innovation, and partnership in public infrastructure projects.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com