New Jersey American Water Completes Acquisition of Somerville Sewer System

Rhea-AI Summary

New Jersey American Water completes acquisition of Somerville's wastewater collection system for $7 million, adding 3,800 new customers. Company committed to invest $9.5 million in sewer system improvements. Sewer rates expected to remain stable.

Positive

• New Jersey American Water expands customer base with acquisition of wastewater system.
• Company committed to investing $9.5 million in sewer system improvements.

Negative

• None.

Acquisition Adds 3,800 New Wastewater Customers

CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New Jersey American Water today completed its acquisition of the wastewater collection system of the Borough of Somerville, N.J. for $7 million. This municipally owned system serves approximately 3,800 customers, most of whom already receive water service from New Jersey American Water. On September 27, 2023, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the municipal consent allowing New Jersey American Water to provide sewer service to Somerville customers as of the closing of the transaction.

New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough (left) and Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan shake hands at financial closing of the company’s acquisition of Somerville’s wastewater system. (Photo: Business Wire)

“As Somerville’s longtime water company, we are happy and honored to now also be their sewer company. We are ready to start making the needed improvements to provide the community with sewer service that is as safe, reliable and affordable as the water service we provide,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water.

The agreement to purchase the system was approved in a voter referendum in November 2022, which passed in a landslide fashion with 75 percent of the voters approving the sale of the system to New Jersey American Water. As part of the agreement, New Jersey American Water committed to invest a minimum of $9.5 million in sewer system improvements in the next ten years.

“Selling the sewer system to New Jersey American Water was the right decision for our community. With private ownership of the system, the borough will eliminate the need for significant rate increases going forward and borrowing money for future improvements will end. Somerville will then be able to fund other needed projects, the sewer system will be maintained and improved on a consistent basis, and sewer rates will remain stable,” said Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan.

Residents will receive additional information in the mail from New Jersey American Water within the next 3-7 days, and the information is also available now on a new, dedicated webpage, Somerville Sewer, on the company’s website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Customer Service and Billing.

This is New Jersey American Water’s fourth sewer system acquisition within the company’s water footprint in the last five years, adding a total of more than 11,300 new wastewater customers. The company acquired the 2,800 customer Bound Brook sewer system in 2022; the 2,900 customer Long Hill Township sewer system in 2020, and the 1,800 customer Mount Ephraim sewer system in 2019. In June 2023, New Jersey American Water also completed its acquisition of Egg Harbor City’s water and sewer system via the state’s Water Infrastructure Protection Act, adding more than 1,500 water and sewer customers.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231003598119/en/

Media:

Denise Venuti Free

Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs

denise.free@amwater.com

Source: New Jersey American Water