June 8, 2026 - News about NJAW Proposed Rate Hikes
NJAW has filed for a series of rate increases on both water and wastewater. This is done every two years with the last increase having been approved in Fall of 2024. NJAW proposed rates have not been approved and are subject to the Board of Pubic Utilities (BPU) review.
What that means for you:
- Residential water rates, statewide, assuming a monthly average usage of 5,793 gallons, will go from $83.87 a month to $93.89 a month, which is a $10.02 increase per month
- Hydrant rates, currently at $66 a month, would increase to $72.44 month, an increase of $6.44/monthly. Residents don’t pay for them, but we do as a municipality. The township currently pays $14,191 a month for the hydrants in Bedminster, and $1,332 for the Pottersville hydrants, for a total of $15,523 a month.
- EDC wastewater rates, metered, would on average increase from $94.93/month to $99.93/month, or a $5 increase. Your mileage may vary, as that charge is usage-based, calculated on actual water consumption
- EDC flat wastewater rates, currently fixed at $80.93/month, are proposed to increase to $119.47/month, representing a $38.54 monthly increase.
- NJAW has formally submitted these proposed rates, and now the case is heard by an administrative law judge, in this case the honorable Judge Jacob Gertsman.
- Present at these hearings are representatives from NJAW, the NJ BPU, the office of the ratepayer advocate, who represents the public interests, and any interveners who want to file suit – typically larger interests like corporations. The public is also able to weigh in at these hearing.
- On May 21st, Cm Colin Hickey submitted a formal letter to Judge Gertsman objecting to the proposed rates increases, highlighting in particular the proposed flat rate sewer increase. That letter was also transmitted to the BPU secretary and is now filed under docket WR26010010.
What Happens Next:
- There will be a discovery period, followed by settlement conferences and evidentiary hearings. NJAW will attempt to make their case for why the rate increases are necessary, and will likely cite state-mandated lead pipe and PFAS remediation as two major cost drivers.
- The rate payer advocate will make a counter case and the BPU will have to weigh the evidence before making a final determination later in the summer. They may approve or reject individual parts of the filing, and eventually will reach a settlement with NJAW.
- The final rates, once approved, would likely take effect in the third quarter, and certain increases could even be delayed beyond that, depending on the BPU’s review and determination
- NJAW is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water Works, which is the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company in the United States. It is a $24B dollar company with over $5B in annual revenue.
ELECTRICITY:
Jersey Central Power & Light - JCP&L provides electrical service to all of Bedminster Township. For more information:
www.firstenergycorp.com
Reporting an Outage or Downed Wire
Ownership Guidelines for Your Home's Electrical System
JCP&L Presentation - June 17, 2019
At the Township Committee Meeting held on June 17, 2019, Representative Rob Walton of JCP&L discussed the recent power outages impacting Bedminster Township. He discussed the outage issues within The Hills housing development. To view the presentation from JCP&L please view the meeting video using the following options:
The Meeting Video is also available on the Township's website. Please click "Government", then "Township Committee", and "Meeting Videos" or click on the link below.
Township Committee Meeting Video 6/17/19
NATURAL GAS:
Public Service, Electric & Gas - PSE&G provides natural gas to Bedminster Township. However, transmission lines do not reach all properties in town. If you are interested in requesting gas service, please contact PSE&G to determine if you are in their service territory by calling their Construction Inquiry Team at 1-800-722-0256. PSE&G suggests residents consult with a plumbing contractor to evaluate ability to convert appliances and determine cost for work to be performed inside your residence then submit the application below detailing BTU ratings for equipment/appliances to be connected. Your plumbing contractor can assist with this.
application-residential_gas.pdf
For more information please visit their website:
https://pseg.com/
WATER & SEWER SERVICE:
New Jersey American Water (NJAW)
1. Water - NJAW provides water service to all properties not serviced by a well. Please visit NJAW's website for more information. https://amwater.com/njaw/ for more information.
2. Sewer
- The Hills & Pluckemin - NJAW provides public sewer service (aka: Environmental Disposal Corp. - EDC) to all of the neighborhoods in "The Hills" community. Also, most properties in the Pluckemin section of town have public sewer from NJAW. Please visit the NJAW website https://amwater.com/njaw/ or call 1-800-272-1325 for more information.
- Bedminster Village - Bedminster Township provides sewer service to approximately 255 properties in Bedminster Village section of the township. Property owners in that area should contact the Tax Collector for more information:
http://bedminsternj.hosted.civiclive.com/cms/one.aspx?pageId=11762020 or call (908) 212-7000, ext. 433.
Most properties located west of Rt. 206 and north of Lamington Road have septic systems.
TELEVISION, INTERNET AND PHONE SERVICES:
Cablevision (aka Optimum by Altice) - provides cable television, internet and phone service to properties located in The Hills development. Please visit their website for more information: https://www.optimum.com/
If you experience a lost of Internet connectivity--if it isn't working, keeps dropping or is slower than expected, OPTIMUM suggests troubleshooting Internet Connectivity. Click here to Troubleshoot. For more assistance click Internet Related Facts.
If you are still experiencing an issue after following the above, please contact Optimum directly as follows:
1. optimum.net/support/outage
2. Message Optimum at optimum.net/chat
3. Send Tweet to @Optimumhelp
4. Call (866) 950-3278
Comcast (aka Xfinity) - provides cable television, internet and phone service to properties located outside of The Hills, along Route 202/206 and most properties south of Lamington Road. This service will be expanded in the future. Please visit their website:
https://my.xfinity.com/?cid=cust&amcid=SEG_MYACCOUNT&ts=3
Verizon and Verizon Fios - provides cable television, internet and phone service throughout the town. VERIZON FIOS is available on a limited basis. Please visit their website at:
https://www.verizon.com/local/new-jersey-fios/