Get Ready to Pay More for Water: NJBPU OKs Water Co. Rate Hike

It's not your imagination if you think the cost of everything is going up.

The NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) gave its approval to a $8.1 million rate hike for rate request increase.

That 12.7 percent rate hike will translate into a $17 quarterly increase, or $68 a year, for the average household using approximately 19,668 gallons of water every three months - or as the water company measures it, 2,600 cubit feet of H2O for the same period.

The increase goes into effect immediately, the BPU said in a written statement.

In January, Middlesex Water Company had initially asked for an $11.3 million increase in rates, for things like capital improvements and increased costs.

Some of the capital improvements include in Woodbridge. Right now a major digging project is still being conducted by the entrance to Woodbridge High School, blocking off that end of Freeman Street.

A water main break near the high school entrance in February caused the issuance of a 'boil water' alert and for several days. 

In addition to Woodbridge, Middlesex Water Company provides retail water supplies to Edison, South Plainfield, Carteret, Metuchen, South Amboy, and Clark. They serve approximately 59,800 retail customers.

The utility also holds wholesale water contracts with Highland Park, Sayreville, Marlboro Township, East Brunswick, and Rahway, as well as the Old Brige Municipal Utilities Authority.