New Jersey American Water (NJAW) officially broke ground this week on a new, state-of-the-art operations center in Washington, marking a significant infrastructure investment intended to improve service reliability and resilience for over 31,000 customers across Warren and Morris counties.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key regional figures, including Assemblyman Erik Peterson (LD 23), Washington Borough Mayor Louann Cox, Washington Township Deputy Mayor George Willan, and an aide to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
“This new operations center is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a reflection of our promise to continue to provide our customers with high-quality service, today and into the future,” Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water said. “We’re proud to grow in a community where our employees have lived, worked, volunteered, and donated for more than a decade to make Washington stronger.”
Project details and community impact
The new facility, designed by McKernan Architects & Associates, will span 22,517 square feet and is designed to house local employees with room for future growth.
- Timeline: Construction is slated to begin in November 2025, with completion expected by December 2026.
- Economic Benefit: Once complete, the new center is expected to contribute approximately $95,000 annually in property taxes to Washington Borough.
NJAW has served Washington since 1987 and has established deep community roots through consistent support. Employees have volunteered to clear trails in Warren County parks twice annually for over ten years, and the company has provided grants to local volunteer fire departments, including a donation of a retiring Field Service Representative van.
Louann Cox, mayor of Washington Borough, welcomed the continued investment. “We’re grateful that New Jersey American Water continues to call Washington Borough home,” she said. “They’ve been a steady, trusted partner to this community for decades, and their decision to grow and invest right here speaks volumes about their dedication to the people of Washington.”
