VOTE YES ON THE WATER REFERENDUM
PAY OFF DEBT ✔
ENSURE PREDICTABLE WATER RATES ✔
UPGRADE OLD INFRASTRUCTURE ✔
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VOTING YES?
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INVESTING IN SOUTH ORANGE
New Jersey American Water is committed to investing $69.7 million in South Orange if voters approve the sale:
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$19.7 million purchase price to pay off all utility debt and a portion of municipal debt
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$50 million in infrastructure investments by 2035
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ENSURING CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
H2O Help to Others Program ™
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Includes grants up to $500 toward overdue water bills, and service charge discounts to customers with qualifying incomes
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Payment arrangements and budget billing are also available for customers
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SECURING RATE PREDICTABILITY
Water rates will be predictable under New Jersey American Water – more so than if the Village retained ownership.
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Five-year rate schedule upon taking ownership, with a rate hold for the first two years and 3% annual increases in years 3-5
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Rates regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
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PROVIDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT & HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE
Based in Short Hills with about 100 local employees, New Jersey American Water offers high-quality customer service and is committed to the community.
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Monthly billing
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Convenient online and in-person bill-paying options
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24/7 emergency support system to notify customers of issues
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Support of local community organizations through grant opportunities and educational outreach programs
COMMITTED TO REMOVING ALL LEAD AND GALVANIZED WATER SERVICE LINES
New Jersey American Water will replace all customer and utility owned lead and galvanized service lines. Following the acquisition, the identification and replacement process will commence immediately. Most homes that were built in the 1970s or earlier were built with lead or galvanized service lines.
For more information regarding New Jersey American Water’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program please visit: www.njamwaterlslr.com.
RATE PREDICTABILITY FOR THE LONG-TERM
Upon sale of the system, current water rates will be held steady for two years, followed by minimal increases of 3% over the next three years, while critical system improvements are made. In the long-term, customers’ rates will increase modestly every two to three years due to New Jersey American Water’s ability to spread costs across its entire customer base.
YEAR
1
RATE INCREASE
0%
2
0%
3
4
5
3%
3%
3%
At the end of the five years, customers with average water usage can expect to pay
approximately $78 more annually, or $6.50 per month more for service while New Jersey American Water invests millions of dollars in South Orange.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE
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Identification and replacement of all lead and galvanized service lines starting immediately after taking ownership.
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Replacement of the Crest Drive Standpipe within five years of ownership to address NJDEP requirements and secure this important water storage facility.
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Rehabilitation of the Main Reservoir and the Newstead Watersphere to strengthen the system’s resiliency and address deficiencies identified by the state regulators and the Village.
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An aggressive water main replacement and rehabilitation program.
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A comprehensive analysis of the system to prioritize other system improvements.
LEARN HOW NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER PARTNERSHIPS HAVE POSITIVELY IMPACTED OTHER COMMUNITIES
VOTER RESOURCES
For info on early voting and other ways to vote, visit the Essex County Clerk website.