Raritan Township freezes 2026 stormwater utility rate at $40, keeping fee at 2025 level
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — The Raritan Township Committee has set the 2026 Stormwater Utility Base Rate at $40 a year, keeping the fee at the same level residents and businesses paid in 2025, township officials said.
The committee made the announcement at its Jan. 20 meeting, saying the rate will remain $40 per ERU, or Equivalent Residential Unit. Officials said the utility rate had originally been annualized at $120 a year, but the township determined it could hold the fee lower through cost controls.
“We know our residents are mindful of every dollar, and so are we,” said Mayor Brad Perry. “Rather than allowing the rate to jump to the annualized projection of $120, we took a hard look at our operations and decided we can and must do more with less. We are freezing the rate at $40 to provide stability for our families and businesses.”
The rate was adopted through Resolution #26-1-28. Township officials said the stormwater utility fee is based on a typical single-family residential property’s impervious surface area. Annual bills are expected to be distributed on or around March 1.
“We’ve worked with the Township Committee to identify critical permit requirements and their associated costs,” said Stormwater Utility Supervisor John Tully. “The proposed fee allows us to address these critical issues while being mindful of the impact on our residents and businesses.”
Raritan Township established the stormwater utility last year in response to 2023 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit requirements mandated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, officials said. The township said the utility is designed to distribute the cost of state-mandated stormwater projects based on impervious coverage rather than increasing the general municipal tax rate, and that all funds collected must be used for stormwater management and NJDEP compliance.
Township officials said the stormwater utility bill can be paid by mail, online through the “Pay Your Bill” link on the tax collector’s page of the township website, through a drop box outside the municipal building, or in person at the tax collector’s office.
