Note: Pursuant to Ordinance No. 6 S+FG, 5-4-2005 and 6 S+FD, 7-11-2007, as codified at Sections 33:4-1 through 33:4-4, beginning on January 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities shall adjust the water rate not to exceed the Cost of Living Adjustment. This shall be based on the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Governments for New Jersey and published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-1; Ord. 6 S+FO, 9-25-1990; Ord. 6 S+FA, 5-4-1994; Ord. 6 S+FX, 1-8-1997; Ord. 6 S+FB, 3-4-1998; Ord. 6 S+FG, 5-4-2005; Ord. 6 PSF-B(S), 2-10-2015; amended 6-27-2023 by Ord. No. 6PSF-A, 06-27-2023]
Effective August 1, 2023, the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities is implementing a five year water rate increase for the period August 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027.
a. 
The charges for all water furnished by the City of Newark including private consumers in the Silver Lake District, Belleville and elsewhere outside of Newark (unless otherwise covered by special contract), shall not exceed the following:
(Rates as per monthly adjustment by the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities.)
Effective August 1, 2023:
$12.18 per 1,000 cubic feet for the first 300 cubic feet or less, per month
$36.54 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 33,000 cubic feet, per month
$32.63 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 133,300 cubic feet, per month
$29.27 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 166,600 cubic feet, per month
Effective January 1, 2024:
$12.49 per 1,000 cubic feet for the first 300 cubic feet or less, per month
$37.45 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 33,000 cubic feet, per month
$33.45 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 133,300 cubic feet, per month
$30.00 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 166,600 cubic feet, per month
Effective January 1, 2025:
$13.56 per 1,000 cubic feet for the first 300 cubic feet or less, per month
$40.67 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 33,000 cubic feet, per month
$36.33 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 133,300 cubic feet, per month
$32.58 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 166,600 cubic feet, per month
Effective January 1, 2026:
$14.44 per 1,000 cubic feet for the first 300 cubic feet or less, per month
$43.31 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 33,000 cubic feet, per month
$38.69 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 133,300 cubic feet, per month
$34.70 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 166,600 cubic feet, per month
Effective January 1, 2027:
$15.61 per 1,000 cubic feet for the first 300 cubic feet or less, per month
$46.82 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 33,000 cubic feet, per month
$41.82 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 133,300 cubic feet, per month
$37.51 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 166,600 cubic feet, per month
b. 
Senior Citizens and/or Disabled Persons/Disabled Veterans.
Effective August 1, 2023:
$10.17 per 1,000 cubic feet for the first 300 cubic feet or less, per month
$30.50 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 33,000 cubic feet, per month
c. 
Commencing January 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities shall adjust the water rate consistent with the Cost of Living Adjustment. This adjustment shall be based on the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Governments for New Jersey and published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis. Commencing January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Cost of Living Adjustment shall not be imposed upon Senior Citizens and/or Disabled Persons/Disabled Veterans.
d. 
Effective March 1, 2015, and as determined by the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities, each consumer may be allocated for any credit or deficit received by the City of Newark from the Regional Water Authorities (i.e. North Jersey District Water Supply). Any credit or deficit received shall be allocated among all consumers in such a manner that the water users' rates are readjusted in an amount proportionate to the credit or deficit.
e. 
The Department of Water and Sewer Utilities reserves the right to establish an appropriate billing schedule for all accounts.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-2]
$22.86 for the first 500 cubic feet or less per quarter;
$14.87 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 9,500 cubic feet per quarter;
$13.76 per 1,000 cubic feet for the next 90,000 cubic feet per quarter;
$11.45 per 1,000 cubic feet for all over 400,000 cubic feet per quarter;
$10.74 per 1,000 cubic feet for all over 500,000 cubic feet per quarter.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-4; Ord. 6 S+FD, 7-11-2007 § 1; Ord. 6 PSF-B(S), 11-24-2015]
(Rates Effective January 1, 2015, as per adjustment by the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities.)
The following charges shall be made for private fire line connection services:
a. 
Charges: Metered Fire-Lines. Based on the size of the fire line pipe (not the size of the meter including any meter in the main fire line pipe or any bypass or detector check meter);
Pipe Size
Monthly Rate
Quarterly Charge
Annual Rate
2 inches
$23.10
$69.29
$277.15
3 inches
$51.97
$155.90
$623.60
4 inches
$94.67
$284.01
$1,136.05
6 inches
$614.17
$492.52
$1,970.09
8 inches
$253.85
$761.55
$3,046.21
10 inches
$364.08
$1,092.25
$4,368.99
12 inches
$501.49
$1,504.48
$6,017.94
b. 
Charges: Unmetered Fire-Lines. Based on the size of the fire line pipe:
Pipe Size
Monthly Rate
Quarterly Charge
Annual Rate
2 inches
$15.56
$46.69
$186.76
3 inches
$35.02
$105.05
$420.22
4 inches
$55.59
$166.76
$667.05
6 inches
$120.07
$360.22
$1,440.87
8 inches
$209.02
$627.05
$2,508.21
10 inches
$322.42
$967.27
$3,869.08
12 inches
$460.29
$1,380.87
$5,523.47
Beginning on January 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities shall adjust private fire line rates not to exceed the Cost of Living Adjustment. This shall be based on the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Governments for New Jersey and published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-5]
a. 
Test for transfer of ownership-charge: $35.10.
b. 
Meter repairs performed by the City shall be set at $35.10 per every hour of labor plus materials, with a minimum charge being $35.10. If repairs are done by outside contract, then cost will be as provided for in the contract.
c. 
Testing New Meters:
8 inches
$306.54
6 inches
$249.21
4 inches
$184.86
3 inches
$124.02
2 inches
$66.69
1 1/2 inches and smaller
35.10
d. 
Removing, Testing and Resetting. Charges for removing, testing and resetting of meters shall be set at $35.10 per hour of labor, with the minimum amount to be set at $35.10.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-6; Ord. 6 S+FH, 5-17-2006; Ord. 6 PSF-A(S), 11-24-2015; Ord. No. 6PSF-d, 09-08-2022; amended 4-24-2024 by Ord. No. 6PSF-B, 04-24-2024]
a. 
The Director of the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities shall have the authority to impose charges in connection with the installation of new water service connections from the City main to the service valve on the downstream side of the water meter, including, but not limited to, connection fees, tap fees, corporation stop, water service pipe, curb box and stop, water meter, bedding, backfill, pavement restoration, inspection and other costs associated with the installation of water service pipes.
b. 
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:31-11, in addition to rates and rentals, a separate charge in the nature of a connection fee or tapping fee for each connection of any property with the water supply system may be imposed upon the owner or occupant of the property so connected. The connection charges shall be uniform within each class of users and the amount thereof shall not exceed the actual cost of the physical connection plus an amount computed in the following manner to represent a fair payment towards the cost of the system:
1. 
The amount representing all debt service, including but not limited to sinking funds, reserve funds, the principal and interest on bonds, and the amount of any loans and the interest thereon, paid by the local unit or units to defray the capital cost of developing the system as of the end of the immediately preceding budget year shall be added to all capital expenditures made by a local unit or units not funded by a bond ordinance or debt for the development of the system as of the end of the immediately preceding budget year.
2. 
Any gifts, contributions or subsidies to the local unit or units received from, and not reimbursed or reimbursable to the municipal government or agency or any private person, and that portion of amounts paid to the local unit or units by a public entity under a service agreement or service contract which is not repaid to the public entity by the local unit or units, shall then be subtracted.
3. 
The remainder shall be divided by the total number of service units served by the local unit or units at the end of the immediately preceding budget year, and the results shall then be apportioned to each new connector according to the number of service units attributed to that connector. In attributing service units to each connector, the estimated average daily flow of water for the connector shall be divided by the average daily flow of water to the average single family residence in the area served by the local unit or units, to produce the number of service units to be attributed.
4. 
The connection fee shall be recomputed at the end of each budget year, after a public hearing is held. The revised connection fee may be imposed upon those who subsequently connect in that budget year to the system.
5. 
The combination of the connection fee or tapping fee and the aforesaid water service charges shall be such that the revenues of water supply facilities shall be adequate to pay the expenses of operation and maintenance of the water supply facilities, including improvements, extensions, enlargements and replacements to water supply facilities, reserves, insurance, principal and interest on any bonds, and to maintain such reserves or sinking funds therefor as may be required under the bond covenants or any contracts, or as may be deemed necessary or desirable.
c. 
The water connection fee shall be assessed based upon the number of equivalent dwellings.
1. 
There shall be no connection fee for the installation of a fire line or fire meter including a fire line detector-check meter.
2. 
If the connection is a combined fire and domestic connection, the connection fee is assessed only with respect to the Equivalent Domestic Units (EDU) of the domestic water connection.
3. 
If an active previously installed service line is replaced by a service line of larger size, a connection fee is charged only for the increase in EDUs by subtracting the connection fee for the previously calculated EDUs from the connection fee for the calculated EDUs.
4. 
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:14B-22.3, connection fees for public housing authorities and non-profit organizations building affordable housing projects shall be 50% of the rates set forth herein.
d. 
Before a building permit is issued for new construction under the Uniform Commercial Code or a permit is requested for a new or enlarged connection to any water main under municipal control, there shall be paid to the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities the following one-time connection fees:
New Connector by Number of Equivalent Dwelling Units*
Maximum Connection Fee
1
$3,016.24
3
$9,048.72
5
$15,081.20
8
$24,129.92
16
$48,259.83
25
$75,405.99
50
$150,811.98
80
$241,299.17
*Based on estimated average daily flow of water for the connector divided by the average daily flow of water for the average single family residence within the City.
e. 
When an existing water account remains inactive for a period that exceeds 90 consecutive days, whether due to the renovation of a building or because the water service had been turned off either at the request of the property owner or by the City of Newark, then the re-establishment of the account shall require a fee in the amount of $125.
f. 
A new water meter service connection fee shall be required for connection of a new building in any site where the prior building on the site was demolished or disconnected due to vacancy. The existing water service may not be utilized.
g. 
The fees established hereunder shall take effect immediately.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-7]
The Governing Body may, at its discretion, enter into a contract with any person to supply water for fire protection, manufacturing and irrigation, and other special purposes, at rates and upon conditions to be designated by the Governing Body. Thereupon such person shall pay to the municipality the rate and all other charges stipulated in the contract, instead of the usual rates charged in the municipality; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall alter or affect the lien imposed under this chapter for unpaid water rents or rates, or change the right of the municipality to collect unpaid water rates or rents in accordance with the statutes made and provided therefor.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-15]
If prompt payment by the owner of any property for water rent, rents, work done or materials furnished is not made when due, the supply of water to the property may be discontinued as provided in Section 33:5-15 and shall not be again supplied thereto until the arrears with interest and penalties shall be fully paid. If any water rent or other charge shall remain in arrears for six months, the officer or board charged with the duty of the collection thereof shall file with the officer charged with the duty of the collection of tax arrears, a statement showing such arrearages. From the time of such filing, the water rent or other charges shall be a lien upon the real estate to which the water was furnished, and in connection with which the charges were incurred to the same extent as taxes are a lien upon real estate in the municipality, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as liens for taxes.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-15.1; Ord. 6 PSF-A(S), 1-13-2010 § 1]
That pursuant to N.J.S. 40A:31-12, interest charge shall be assessed for each water account not paid within 30 days of the due date. Each interest charge shall be chargeable each and every additional month the account is not paid in full. The interest charge rate shall be 1.5% of the outstanding principal amount due.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-16]
Unless specified otherwise, all bills will be addressed to the owner and mailed to the premises where water service is furnished, and against which they are imposed. If the owner so desires, bills will be mailed to the business or home address of the owner or his/her agent. If the owner's name be unknown, bills will be mailed to the premises, addressed to the "owner or occupant" thereof. If bills are not delivered, the owner or occupant is required to obtain them at the office of the Division of Billing and Customer Service without notice. Failure to receive bills will not excuse nonpayment thereof.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-17]
All water bills for continuous service will be rendered quarterly, unless the annual bill be in excess of $100, in which case bills may be rendered monthly. No bill will be rendered for less than the minimum charge for the period covered, as provided in the rate schedule, except that where the water supply is shut off by the Division of Sewers and Water Supply and remains shut off for the full quarter, there will be no charge. The amount charged shall be due on the date of the rendering of the bill.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-18]
a. 
Upon proper application to the Division of Sewers and Water Supply, a permit may be issued to any person for the temporary use of water, to be paid for as provided by the Director of the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities. Such deposit as may be required to protect the City against loss or damage incurred by such temporary use of water shall be made by the applicant in the manner prescribed.
b. 
All water furnished for construction or other temporary purposes, and charged for, shall be metered when required and shall be billed at the established rates, the time of billing to be at the discretion of the Division of Billing and Customer Service. A suitable deposit may be required to guarantee payment of the bill.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-19]
Where, by any cause or reason, a water meter shall fail to register correctly, or shall, by any defect, cease to record the quantity of water passing through it, or where a meter shall have been removed from the service supplying the premises for repairs, or where other proper reason exists therefor, the Division of Billing and Customer Service may disregard such incorrect registry or such nonregistry and may charge for water supplied during the period of incorrect registry, or nonregistry or during the period when such meter shall have been removed from the service for repairs, or for any other proper reason, at the daily registration of water indicated by an applicable meter for the premises involved for an appropriate period prior or subsequent to such period at the established rates.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-20]
All complaints with regard to the character of service furnished or the reading of meters or of the bills rendered, must be made promptly in writing to the Division of Billing and Customer Service.
[R.O. 1966 § 25:3-21]
a. 
The Manager, Division of Billing and Customer Service shall, from time to time, appoint a "committee for adjustment of all claims on all water and repair charges." The committee shall consist of four members, who shall be authorized employees of the Division of Billing and Customer Service, one of whom shall be the Director of the Division.
b. 
The committee is authorized to recommend allowances, in keeping with its study of the facts and circumstances of each individual case, to the Director for his/her acceptance or rejection. Where unusual circumstances exist, the supervisor of consumer accounts is authorized to exercise his/her own judgment and discretion, in accordance with the facts, and to make recommendations to the committee in order to reach an equitable adjustment in keeping with good business policies.
c. 
The committee, at its discretion, may recommend adjustments of claims on water and repair charges, upon proper written application by the owner or occupant of the premises charged, in the manner prescribed by the Division of Billing and Customer Services.
d. 
Any claim for adjustment of charges for water used in excess because of waste due to leakage on inside piping and fixtures, must be made on a special form provided by the Division of Billing and Customer Service, signed by the applicant's plumber, setting forth a detailed report of the plumber's inspection and any necessary repairs required to be made to the applicant's inside water piping and fixtures to correct leakage and water waste.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 25:3-22]
The owner of any house, multiple dwelling, building or lot shall be liable for the payment of the price or rent as fixed by the Governing Body for the supply of water to such owner, or the occupier and for the installation, purchase price, repair and testing of any water meter, water service, connections, appliances or parts, and renewal thereof, heretofore or hereafter furnished or made by the Department, in or upon such house, multiple dwelling, building or lot or connection therewith, and any interest and/or penalty charges which may be imposed.
In the event that the water service charges of the Department with regard to any parcel of real property shall not be paid as and when due, the unpaid account shall be referred to the Corporation counsel, and the Corporation Counsel shall be empowered to institute civil action in any court deemed proper by him/her for the recovery of any and all unpaid water service arrearages, together with interest and penalties. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to abrogate or impair rights and powers of the City to enforce any provisions within this Title; and the power conferred by this section shall be in addition and supplemental to other remedies available to the City.