N.J. American Water Seeks 20 Percent Rate Hike

New Jersey American Water Co. has filed for a 20 percent rate increase with the state Board of Public Utilities. The increase would affect more than 640,000 residential and commercial customers in New Jersey. If approved by the BPU, the increase would likely take effect in the first half next year.

New Jersey American sells public water in 18 of the state’s 21 counties, including Morris and Somerset.

For New Jersey American Water customers in Ocean and Monmouth, if approved, the new rate would average an increase of $7.67, from $49.69 to $57.36 a month based on a monthly usage of 6500 gallons.

A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 14, at the Westfield Memorial Library, 550 E. Broad St. Read more in Daily Record.

This content, and any other content on TLS, may not be republished or reproduced without prior permission from TLS. Copying or reproducing our content is both against the law and against Halacha. To inquire about using our content, including videos or photos, email us at [email protected].

Stay up to date with our news alerts by following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

**Click here to join over 20,000 receiving our Whatsapp Status updates!**

**Click here to join the official TLS WhatsApp Community!**

Got a news tip? Email us at [email protected], Text 415-857-2667, or WhatsApp 609-661-8668.

29 COMMENTS

  1. Bc whoever wrote this article didn’t include that they charge $40 for sewer on top of the water so if you are using between 5 and 6 thousand gallons bewteen water and sewer your bill is around $100. Which is crazy by the way, no one not brooklyn,monsey, or other customers outside of NJAW pay anywhere near this amount, someone is making a lot of money of this, piping and naintenance is expensive but not to allow $100 for 6000 gallons

  2. I guarntee that no one from Lakewood will show up to the above mentioned hearing. We will just complain on this site but none of us will actually do anything about it………….

  3. Showing up will do no good the BPU and the Water Co. have already decided how much the increase will be. this is an old tactic, to ask for much more than they want so that the BPU will look good denying the large increase. This economy cannot stand an increase at this time. Make the Water tighten up their belts, no pay raises, no bonuses for the bosses. STOP THIS MADNESS!!!!!

  4. I don’t get why they need a 20% rate increase at NJAWC when the Lakewood Municipal Utilities Authority charges only half the price or even less?! They are so much cheaper… yet NJAWC can’t make do wuith double the price? What gives?

  5. To # 9. You are incorrect. I will attend this hearing, just as I have attended all of the past hearings. It is unbelievable that I do not see anyone else from Lakewood in attendance other that Senator Bob Singer and his legislative staff.

    If residents are serious about stopping this proposed increase, let your voice be heard. Make it a point to attend the hearing on December 14, 2011 at the Howell Municipal Building at 2:00 PM.

    I hope that the meeting room is filled to capacity with irate residents and rate payers. Come prepared to voice your opinion on the subject.

  6. The city of Felton Ca bought out American Water to bring their water under municipal control after a series of unconscionable rate hikes. American Water agreed to sell out sfter the city threatened to take the water system under eminent domain. There is no reason that Lakewood cannot do the same. It is unconscionable that water rates are going up by double digits at a time that inflation is near zero. Let us put pressure on our municipal leaders to take over the water system from NJ American Water, by eminent domain, if necessary so the highway robbery comes to a stop.

  7. Letters expressing your sentiment should be sent to the NJ governmental oversight board, as follows:

    New Jersey Division of Water
    44 South Clinton Avenue
    Trenton, NJ 08625
    Attention: Ms. Maria Moran, Director
    Fax: (609) 292-1649
    Email: [email protected]

Comments are closed.