FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLIFTON, NJ — A collapsed sewer line can threaten homes, damage roadways, disrupt traffic, and create costly public health concerns. Clifton cannot afford an infrastructure strategy that begins only after something breaks.
City Council candidate Tafari Anderson is calling for a comprehensive sewer emergency readiness program combining rapid response, preventive maintenance, competitive contracting, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Clifton’s 2026 procurement listings include on-call emergency sewer repair services. Anderson believes that procurement should be accompanied by measurable performance requirements and a public assessment of recurring infrastructure failures.
“An emergency contract is only one part of preparedness,” Anderson stated. “We need to know which sewer lines are deteriorating, how quickly repairs can begin, and whether repeated emergency spending is more expensive than permanent replacement.”
Newark’s Water and Sewer Utilities Department provides an example of combining emergency sewer response with routine inspections and scheduled preventive maintenance through a shared-services agreement with its housing authority.
Anderson proposes that Clifton:
- Establish enforceable emergency response and restoration standards.
- Map recurring sewer failures and prioritize high-risk infrastructure.
- Compare emergency repair expenditures against permanent rehabilitation costs.
- Evaluate shared equipment, specialized crews, and cooperative purchasing with neighboring governments.
- Publish annual sewer condition assessments and contractor performance results.
Anderson recommends that the City Manager and Department of Public Works present a 90-day operational review identifying immediate vulnerabilities, estimated repair costs, and available infrastructure funding.
“Clifton should not wait for the next collapsed pipe to discover where its infrastructure is failing,” Anderson concluded. “Preparation protects neighborhoods, and disciplined investment prevents avoidable expenses.”
Paid for by Friends for Tafari Anderson.