VOORHEES, NJ—New Jersey American Water has filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for new rates seeking recovery of the significant investment the company has made in the State's water and wastewater infrastructure since its last rate increase in 2012.

“In less than three years, we have invested more than $775 million in infrastructure upgrades and replacements, including more than 160 miles of new water main,” says William Varley, president of New Jersey American Water. “At the same time, we reduced our business operating costs by approximately $19 million.”

The company says the new rate request increase residential water bills by just under 17 cents per day on average, and raise revenues by approximately $66 million, the smallest requested increase by the company in a decade.

Rates will remain unchanged until this request undergoes extensive public scrutiny by the BPU, the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, and the Office of Administrative Law. This vetting will include numerous interrogatories, public hearings and evidentiary hearings. This process, based on prior requests, can take a minimum of nine months.

To increase transparency of the process, the company has posted its rate petition and associated exhibits on its website at www.newjerseyamwater.com.

The company noted in a statement that the increased rates proposed in the rate petition are a request only. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will make the final decision regarding the actual percent of increase. Once a final decision has been made, customers will receive information in the mail and at the company's website explaining the new rates.