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May 6, 2008 10:01 pm US/Eastern
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N.J. Residents Could See Steep Water Rate Hike
HADDON HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBS 3) ―
Gas and groceries are getting more expensive and soon it may cost South Jersey residents more to take a shower or do a load of laundry.
One water company is proposing a 23-percent rate hike for some South Jersey customers.
New Jersey American Water is petitioning the board of public utilities to raise water bills by $160 a year for the average user.
"For less than one penny per gallon, we're keeping their water safe, we're cleaning out all of the contaminates we can find," Lendel Jones of New Jersey American Water said.
N.J. American Water says the increase is necessary to pay for $350 million in upgrades to pipes, pumps and treatment facilities.
The rate increase would affect water customers in 47 towns in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, and it could mean as much as a $40 dollar quarterly increase on bills you take to the mailbox. But the good news is that the increase would not go into effect immediately.
"We notify them at least 30 days saying, 'look for this increase in your next bill,'" Jones explained.
It could take the board of public utilities as long as nine months to approve the rate hike.
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