Jan 05, 2018
2018 marks the fourth
consecutive year the Authority has not increased wastewater
rates and third consecutive year with no tip fee increase
On Thursday, December 21, 2017, the
Atlantic County Utilities Authority Board of Commissioners introduced both its
wastewater and solid waste budgets for 2018, with 2018 marking the fourth
consecutive year ACUA has not increased wastewater rates. Last year there was a
decrease of more than $1 million in the overall charge to the wastewater towns.
“The rate for the treatment of wastewater charged to the 14
participants of the system will remain the same for 2018 at $2,137.0542 per
million gallons,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey. “In fact, there has been no
increase in this rate since 2014,” Dovey noted.
There are currently 14 participating
communities serviced by the ACUA's Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.
These include: Absecon, Atlantic City Sewer Company, Brigantine, Egg Harbor
City, Egg Harbor Twp., Galloway Twp., Hamilton Twp., Linwood, Longport,
Margate, Northfield, Pleasantville, Somers Point and Ventnor.
The total amount to be paid by the 14 participants in 2018 is
$23,343,919. The same amount was paid by
the participants in 2017. As part of the calculation, total system flows will
remain at 10,923 million gallons in 2018, as they were in 2017.
In 2018, there will be a slight modification in the
Laboratory Fee Schedule and an RV (recreational vehicle) Septic Disposal Fee of
$25.00 will be added to the rate schedule. All other advertised fees, rates and
charges will remain unchanged.
The total wastewater budget for 2018 is $28,613,676 which
represents an increase of 5.32 percent, as compared with 2017.
Regarding the solid waste division budget, there will be no
rate increase in 2018. This will be the third consecutive year that the
communities in which we serve will see no increase in the tip fee. All advertised fees, rates and charges will
remain the same in 2018 as they were in 2017.
The total solid waste budget for 2018 is $34,433,922, an
increase of 3.72 percent as compared to 2017.
“ACUA continues to find
efficiencies and savings in categories such as fuel, chemicals and insurance,”
said Dovey. “We also anticipate an increase in revenue from non-rate base
categories, including shared service contracts for collection services, pump
station maintenance and outside sludge. Revenue from EcoProducts and
recyclables also helps the Authority to keep rates stable for our customers,”
Dovey added.