YOUR WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES
Water-service and wastewater service rates are based on the real costs of providing safe, reliable and essential services to our customers. Your water and wastewater rates are regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the “Board” or “BPU”).
To determine rates, we work with the Board and other parties to study costs of construction, maintenance, operation, administration, and financing. Once the studies are complete, the company, BPU and other parties present any differing conclusions before an administrative law judge. Based on the judge’s opinion, the Board establishes the water and wastewater rates.
Rates can vary based on the cost of providing service in each of the communities we serve. Before it reaches your home or business, water is treated through an intricate treating and testing process to help ensure it meets or surpasses rigorous drinking water quality standards.
Rates charged for service may vary based on a customer’s meter size. All customers in each service area pay the same rate per gallon for water usage. Customers are billed monthly, based on a regular monthly meter reading, for residential customers as well as for commercial and other public authority customers.
You can learn more about the rate setting process by watching this short video.
Click here for an Overview of the Rate Case Process.
Resources
State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
State of New Jersey Division of the Rate Counsel
New Jersey American Water Tariff
Below is a link to New Jersey American Water's water and wastewater tariff as approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU).
New Jersey Rates (effective 7/1/2024)
Environmental Disposal Corp. Service Area Tariff
Below is a link to the Environmental Disposal Corp. (EDC) wastewater service area tariff as approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
EDC Rates (effective 7/20/2019)
Payment Assistance
Sometimes customers face circumstances that stretch their financial resources. New Jersey American Water is here to assist. Our customer service representatives will work with you on a plan to pay the balance of the bill over time. You may also be qualified to receive assistance through our customer assistance programs.
New Jersey American Water Rate Case
On January 19th, 2024, New Jersey American Water Company filed a petition requesting new rates, driven by more than $1.3 billion in capital investments in water and wastewater infrastructure. Read more about the rate case here.
FAQs
Lead Service Line Replacement Charge
Wastewater System Improvement Charge
Distribution System Improvement Charge
Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge
Covid-19 Expenses Reg Asset and Establishment of Uncollectible Adjustment Clause
Purchased Water Adjustment Clause (PWAC) and Purchased Wastewater Treatment Clause (PSTAC)
The Company purchases water from a number of water purveyors to supplement its own surface water and groundwater supplies. These supplies are critical to continuing to provide a reliable source of water supply for the Company’s customers. The PWAC surcharge is a pass-through at-cost surcharge, which reimburses New Jersey American Water for its cost of purchasing water from other water purveyors.
Like the PWAC, the PSTAC charge is also a pass-through at-cost surcharge based on actual wastewater treatment costs. The PSTAC charge is specific to the Company’s service areas of Ocean City, Lakewood and Adelphia. These service areas are where the Company owns and maintains the wastewater collection systems, pipelines and pump stations that are utilized to collect wastewater from homes and businesses. The wastewater collected is then transferred to a local municipal utilities authority (MUA) sewage treatment facility for treatment and disposal. Instead of the customers receiving a separate bill from the MUA, New Jersey American Water pays the MUA directly and gets reimbursed by its customers through the PSTAC surcharge.
Every November, New Jersey American Water files a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) seeking approval to change the levels of its Purchased Water Adjustment Clause (PWAC) and Purchased Wastewater (Sewerage) Treatment Adjustment Clause (PSTAC), which is effective every April.