Bridgewater Sewer Rates Likely To Increase A Minimum Of 2 Years

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Sewer rate increases over the next two years and possibly even further are likely for Township residents.

Township Administrator Michael Pappas gave a presentation on Bridgewater's Sewer Utility and plans to rebuild a pump station which is anticipated to come with a hefty price tag. He also suggested a yearly sewer fee increase to help cover costs associated with repairs at the May 2 Council meeting.

Prior to 2022, when the Township increased sewer rates, Bridgewater had not raised the flat sewer rate charged to residents in years. In 2021, Mayor Matthew Moench noted that as a result, the township faced a financial issue associated with the sewer rates.

In 2023, the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority(SRVSA) approved a 2.5 percent fee increase which is their charge for treating sewage. However, since the Township had already approved a fee increase in 2022 the SRVSA's increase was able to be absorbed last year, said Pappas.

The SRVSA did not approve a fee increase in 2024 but Pappas said it could be possible in 2025.

Pappas noted that the Township has already made improvements to the Gilbride pump station. Currently, the Township is in the final design phase of a rebuild of the Middlebrook pump station "which is a significant piece of the conveyance of our sewage to the SRVSA."

"It's an antiquated system," said Pappas.

Pappas is estimating the cost to rebuild the system to be anywhere from $3 million to $3.5 million.

To cover this cost, Pappas presented a draft of an ordinance to increase the sewer fee. The proposed ordinance would increase the sewer fee for 2024 by 2.5 percent for the second half of the year.

It would raise the fee in 2024 from the current $472 to $483.80. The proposed ordinance would also increase the sewer fee for 2025 by an additional 5 percent - bringing the total to $495.

The ordinance also proposes a 1.5 percent increase beginning in January 2026 that would repeat annually. This fee increase could also change if the SRVSA increases its fee.

Pappas added that the increases would also apply to connection fees.

Council President Timothy Ring raised some concerns.

"I am comfortable with 2024 and 2025. The notion that rates are just going to increase from 2025 onward by 1.5 percent I struggle with," said Ring.

Councilman Filipe Pedroso echoed Ring's concerns.

"I concur with Council President Ring that the number the sewer rate is increased should reflect the actual need of the sewer not just an arbitrary number that is picked out of a hat," said Pedroso.

Pedroso asked if the Township had explored the option of selling their sewer utility to a private sector such as New Jersey American Water. Neighboring Somerville took this action in 2023 when they signed an agreement with New Jersey American Water to buy its' municipally-owned wastewater collection system for $7 million.

Pappas said the Township began exploring a sale of its sewer utility about a year and a half ago. Additionally, within the next two months, the Council will be asked to award a contract to an engineering firm to assess the physical conditions of the system.

He added that the Township is "kind of in a spot where we know there will be significant improvements that have to be made to the pump station" which may have to be done immediately or give the Township time to sell it.

Pappas ultimately said he would provide the Council with a couple of versions of the ordinance to discuss how they would like to move forward.

"Knowing problems we had in the past with sewage rate I would look forward to making an ordinance change that gets us going in the right direction and sets the table for us so we are not looking at this every other year or so," said Councilman Allen Kurdyla. "Over the years as we have debated our fees, supported it through the budget and all that I think this is a step in the right direction to get it under control and to get the bill paid the way it should be paid."

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