On January 29, 2025, the North Section of the New Jersey Water Environment Association (NJWEA) hosted a meeting that included a factory tour of Charter Machine Company’s (CMC) facility in Metuchen, NJ. A leading U.S. manufacturer of wastewater and biosolids management equipment, CMC showcased its capabilities in precision machining and sludge dewatering solutions.

The factory tour offered attendees an exclusive, behind-the-scenes view of CMC’s comprehensive manufacturing process, beginning in the sheet metal lab where visitors observe how raw materials are transformed into precision-engineered components. CMC features a versatile array of metal fabricating equipment, ranging from manual cylindrical grinders to advanced CNC lathes and machining centers, ensuring efficiency in shaping metal of all sizes and complexities. From there, the tour moved into the production area, showcasing critical components to CMC dewatering equipment such as rollers, frames, bearings and more. As the tour transitioned from the machine shop to the assembly building, they were introduced to CMC’s rental trailers and discussed applications for their use. These trailers are custom-designed for specialized applications, such as dredging, sand and silt management, lagoon maintenance, and digester clean-outs. For potential clients, CMC can also conduct onsite demonstrations of their equipment’s capabilities. The tour concluded in the assembly building, where a range of equipment—including Gravity Belt Thickeners (GBTs), Belt Filter Presses (BFPs), polymer systems, conveyors, and control panels were on display in various states of assembly. These are meticulously assembled to meet the specific needs of operators in the sludge processing industry.

A highlight of the tour was an in-depth lesson of CMC’s sludge dewatering process. Utilizing a range of dewatering and/or drying techniques—such as polymer solutions, mechanical dewatering, non-thermal electro-osmosis, and low-temperature drying—CMC’s systems effectively separate water from sludge. These methods produce sludge with significantly reduced water content, making it easier and more cost-effective to handle, transport, and dispose of, while minimizing environmental impact.

Following the tour, the North Section held its regular business meeting at Vincenzo’s in Middlesex, NJ. Attendees shared insights from the tour and networked during an engaging dinner session. The event proved both educational and enriching for all participants.