Newark Water Rates Council Meeting
Date
2009-02-23
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Abstract
Every 4 years (2000, 2004, and 2008) the Water Resources Agency surveys water rates for over 50 water
systems in Delaware and surrounding states.
The 2008 water rate survey indicates that Newark rates are $3.50/1000 gal (inside city) or $210/yr, 33rd percentile, and $4.60/1000 gal (outside city ) or $270/yr, 58th percentile, based on an average use of 60,000 gallons per year. Newark water rates are low, at least half of investor-owned water purveyors such as Pennsylvania American Water Co. and Aqua Pennsylvania with rates over $500/yr, Artesian Water Co. at $460/yr., and Cecil County Dept. of Public Woks and Perryville, MD at $420/yr. New York City has the highest water rates along the Atlantic Seaboard at $800/yr.
Based on a comparative market approach, the adjusted new rates will bring Newark to 50th percentile, not too low, not too high. Water rates will be substantially below their neighbors in investor owned service areas and well below adjacent water systems such as Cecil County, MD and Aqua Pennsylvania in Kemblesville and Kennett Square, PA. Newark's drinking water is affordable and a good deal!