New Jersey American Water files rate request to fund $1.3 billion water infrastructure investment

(UI) – New Jersey American Water filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) requesting new rates, driven by more than $1.3 billion in capital investments through December 2024, to continue providing safe and reliable service. 

The company will make much-needed investments to replace aging infrastructure, meet water quality and environmental regulations, provide resiliency of operations, increase fire protection, and meet customers’ other water and wastewater service needs.

New Jersey American Water’s investment in replacing or rehabilitating nearly 176 miles of aging water mains is included in this rate request. Additional critical infrastructure projects included in the rate request are investments in its treatment facilities to comply with regulations for PFAS, replacement of aging, critical, large-diameter transmission mains and several large-scale pipeline replacement projects throughout the state to improve system reliability.

Additionally, the investment will see the replacement of thousands of utility-owned lead and galvanized service lines statewide, investment in additional advanced leak detection technology, replacement or upgrades to improve reliability and efficiency at dozens of wells, pumping stations and other critical facilities statewide, and sewer system upgrades to meet environmental regulations throughout the company’s service areas.

New Jersey American Water is seeking a total annual revenue increase of approximately $161.7 million. The increased rates proposed in the petition are a request only. The BPU will make the final decision regarding the actual increase.

“Our approach to long-term, efficient and consistent investments in our water and wastewater systems helps us continue to deliver high-quality, reliable service and fire protection for the more than 2.8 million people in 18 counties we serve. As the state’s largest water and wastewater utility, we believe it is essential that the service we provide is safe, complies with state and federal water quality regulations; reliable, so that it is resilient in the face of floods, droughts, and other weather-related impacts; and affordable,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. “One of the steps we are taking to address affordability is proposing a universal affordability tariff to expand our customer assistance program.”

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