Lavallette Residents to See Increase in Water-Sewer Fees

Lavallette Borough Hall (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Customers of Lavallette’s municipal water-sewer utility will see an increase in fees to account for rising costs and the maintenance of the system.

Last week, the borough council adopted an ordinance which raises the fixed-rate facilities fees paid by all residents toward the upkeep of the system. Residents are allotted 5,000 gallons of water each month, after which they are charged $3 per 1,000 gallons. But while some residents use little water if their homes are only occupied part-time, the cost of running a municipal water-sewer utility remains the same, necessitating a minimum annual fee for users.

The new combined rate for the facilities fee is $264 per quarter, up from $199 currently, Mayor Walter LaCicero said at the meeting. Rates are set per meter and broken down between water and sewer usage. Water meters will draw a $160 quarterly charge while sewer rates will be $94. An annual “capital infiltration charge” of $300, will be billed for each existing sewer lateral.

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Officials at the meeting said despite the increase in fees, the water-sewer charges remain lower than those imposed on ratepayers of New Jersey American Water as well as the Toms River MUA. West Point Island and Westmont Shores residents pay rates to the Toms River MUA while Westmont Shores is also located within the New Jersey American Water service area.

Borough Administrator John O. Bennett said rates have not risen since 2010, and in recent years keeping the system in working order has required the borough to dip into reserve funds. Meanwhile, the borough must replace one of its wells for a significant cost.

“Obviously, the well is a huge consideration here,” said LaCicero, adding that the project cost was in the area of $5 million. “This increase will cover that, so we’re not going to have to increase it again once we do award the bid for this well.”

The ordinance affecting the rates passed unanimously.