HAMILTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Aqua New Jersey, Inc. (Aqua) courted several municipalities at the New
Jersey League of Municipalities event this week in Atlantic City, New
Jersey.
"One of the biggest benefits to municipal water and wastewater systems
doing business with private utilities like Aqua New Jersey is the
capital we can bring to the table to invest in much-needed
infrastructure improvements and replacements," said Aqua President
Nicholas Asselta. "The benefits are many and include not only the
benefit of the facilities that are renewed, but the economy benefits
through the creation of local living wage jobs and new real estate tax
benefits for communities."
Asselta said that the infrastructure issues facing the nation and some
of its oldest cities cannot be fixed by any single entity. "With tens of
thousands of primarily small water systems in this country, the
infrastructure problems require the attention of both private and public
utilities. Aqua New Jersey is fortunate to be able to fund its capital
programs and can partner with municipalities in public-private
partnerships to help them do the same," said Asselta. "Municipal
officials are often forced to struggle with decisions to raise rates and
keep the water and wastewater systems structurally, operationally and
financially sound because rate increases—however necessary—are unpopular
and often compete with other important interests including funding for
police, fire and education." Asselta said Aqua has invested
approximately $10 million on infrastructure improvements for its
customers in 2013.
Asselta said that these decisions have often led municipalities to sell
their assets to utilities like Aqua New Jersey, and while his company
has purchased several systems, the utility can also provide a
public-private partnership option that would enable Aqua to make capital
investments, operate and manage the systems while the municipality
continues to own the assets. "It's important that municipal officials
understand that there are multiple means by which a private utility like
Aqua can help with their water and wastewater infrastructure challenges.
That's the primary reason we are participating in this conference."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Drinking Water
Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which estimates a 20-year
capital investment need of $334.8 billion for public water systems. The
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Report Card on America's
Infrastructure gave a grade of "D" to the nation's water and wastewater
systems.
Aqua New Jersey provides water and wastewater service to more than
165,000 people in 22 municipalities throughout Warren, Hunterdon,
Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean counties in
the Garden State. Visit www.aquaamerica.com
for more information.
WTRG
Aqua New Jersey, Inc.
Donna Alston
Manager, Communications
610-645-1095
484-368-4720
dpalston@aquaamerica.com
Source: Aqua New Jersey, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
