ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Rockaway Township is informing residents and business owners about recent increases in utility and sewer bills, saying the adjustments are needed to maintain reliable water service and address rising wastewater treatment costs.
In a letter to customers, the Rockaway Township Municipal Utility Authority said it is the township’s first water utility rate adjustment since 2014.
The authority said it worked for more than a decade to absorb rising costs and keep rates steady, but determined the increase is necessary to continue providing reliable, high-quality utility service.
According to the letter, the increase is driven by two primary factors.
The first is annual increases in wastewater treatment costs charged by the Rockaway Valley Regional Sewerage Authority. The utility authority said a significant portion of customer bills goes toward wastewater treatment and that regional treatment costs have increased annually, requiring corresponding adjustments to local sewer rates.
The second factor is continued investment in water infrastructure.
The authority said a portion of the rate increase will fund replacement of aging underground water pipes to help prevent water main breaks and service outages, upgrades to water treatment technology to meet current health and safety standards, and increased operating costs associated with water treatment, supplies and electricity.
The utility authority said delaying the improvements could result in declining water quality and more costly emergency repairs in the future.
The letter also encourages customers looking to reduce their monthly bills to check for hidden household leaks, such as running toilets, and to consider installing water conservation fixtures.
The Rockaway Township Municipal Utility Authority thanked residents and business owners for their understanding and support as it continues maintaining the community’s water and sewer infrastructure.
