Cape May Loses $1.5 Million in Funding for Desalination Plant

Cape May, NJ – Cape May's proposed desalination plant will no longer receive $1.5 million in fiscal year 2025 funding after cuts in the budget process. The reduction is part of $200 million in New Jersey projects that were dropped in legislation passed last month to avoid a government shutdown. The desalination plant, which is currently operating beyond its capacity, needs replacement due to increasing salinity in the city's water supply.
Cape May’s plant, built decades ago, draws from underground sources that have become saltier as more fresh water is used. While the $1.5 million was a step toward funding the new plant, the total project cost is estimated at $30 million. The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 authorized $40 million for the project in January, but those funds have not yet been appropriated. Rep. Jeff Van Drew's office remains committed to securing funding, noting a $2 million allocation through the Department of the Interior. Officials continue to push for the funds necessary to replace the aging desalination plant.