NJ American Water Rate Increase Hearing Wednesday In Howell

If you live a town where your water is supplied by New Jersey American Water company, the cost of your water service may be going up, possibly as much as 18 percent for residents in the Monmouth and Ocean County area, under a proposed rate increase.

A public hearing on the proposed increase is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Howell Township Municipal Building, 4567 Route 9 North, Howell. The hearing will be in the main meeting room on the second floor of the building.

New Jersey American filed the request for the rate increase in September, saying the increase is needed to offset upgrade its systems since 2015.

"The rate increase is needed primarily because New Jersey American Water invested more than $868 million in treatment and distribution facilities to continue to provide safe, reliable water and wastewater service," the company said.

The rate increases proposed vary from service area to service area, and some areas could see increases of more than 25 percent, according to a chart New Jersey American included in its letter notifying affected towns of the public hearings.

For most customers in the Monmouth County area, the basic quarterly bill would increase from $56.83 to $67.17, according to the chart.

The rate changes also affect sewer services in communities where New Jersey American provides that service. In Howell, the company is moving from a flat quarterly rate to a rate based on actual usage, according to a breakdown of the proposed new rates. That charge would increase 1.49 percent, according to the company. (The new sewer rage charge is exhibit P1.)

Below is a rough chart of the changes:

For a more detailed look at the changes, the current rates can be found by clicking here. The full breakdown of proposed changes can be found here.

If you cannot attend the hearing, you can submit written comments to the Board of Public Utilities by sending them to:

Secretary, Board of Public Utilities
44 S. Clinton Ave., 3rd Floor, Suite 314
P.O. Box 350
Trenton, NJ 08625-0049

or
Clerk, Office of Administrative Law
P.O. Box 049
Trenton, NJ 08625-0049

Written comments should include the header "New Jersey American Water Rate Filing: Public Hearing" and also should include BPU Docket No. WR17090985 and OAL Docket No. PUC 14251-2017 S and the Honorable Jacob S. Gertsman, ALJ.

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