Livingston Renews Water Contract

Water is the life-blood of any community. It is used for practically everything from day-to-day activities of drinking and cooking, washing and watering the garden to emergency uses such as putting out fires. It is an essential substance that we often take for granted. The Township of Livingston is committed to providing residents with high quality drinking water. Water conservation and the reuse of reclaimed water is also an integral part of the Township’s water management strategy. Drinking water health and safety standards are set by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

The Township of Livingston's water supply is derived from a blend of production wells within the Township and bulk water supplies purchased from NJAW. Twelve production wells are owned and operated by the Township. Water purchased from NJAW is a blend of sources that includes groundwater and surface water. 

 “There are limitations on the amount of water Livingston can take from the underground aquifer as per NJDEP regulations and for decades, Livingston has been purchasing additional water to insure an adequate supply for the community,” explained Michele Meade, Township Manager. “In order to fulfill demand, the Township will be renewing its contract with the New Jersey American Water (NJAW) which will take effect on January 1^st, 2012.”

 “Deputy Mayor Steve Santola and I have been in negotiations with NJAW for the past two years.  The new contract provides significant benefits to the community,” continued Meade. “This 20 year agreement includes the option of changing, between years 4 through 8 of the agreement, to a flat daily amount of water purchased at a less expensive rate.  The Township is undergoing and planning water infrastructure improvements that would make it possible to switch to the flat daily purchase rate structure. Without these improvements, the Township is unable to realize cheaper rates for water purchase from NJAW.” 

“The new flexible contract provides for 300 million gallons of water per year, a decrease from the 400 million gallons on the old contract affording an immediate savings,” Meade added. “The savings in water purchase will be used to stabilize costs to residents and improve the water system in Livingston.  In 2012, the Township will construct a booster station at the existing Mountain Ridge Drive water tank to pump water between low service areas (well water) and high service areas (water purchased through NJAW) as the first step in these improvements.”  The Township also has the ability in the new contract to increase the water purchase amount should new development occur necessitating additional water.

For more information on how residents can save money by saving water, and on the Township’s water conservation initiatives, please visit the website, www.livingstonnj.org.  Click on “Water” in the left hand column and then click on “water conservation page.”  To sign up for monthly water usage emails, click on “Finance” in the left hand column and “Monthly Water Consumption Notification Program.”