Bill

Bill > A1026


NJ A1026

NJ A1026
Establishes uniform rates for water and sewer services for residential use based exclusively on metered consumption.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires local public authorities that charge for water and sewer services to base residential customers' bills exclusively upon metered consumption. Under current law, local public authorities providing water and sewer services may establish charges for those services based on any number of factors, including consumption, the number and type of water outlets, the number and type of plumbing fixtures or facilities, the number of persons residing on the property, the capacity of fixtures, or any other factors determining the type, class, and amount of water or sewer use. In addition, this bill permits local public authorities and local units to establish a tiered system of rates, through which a local unit may charge different rates based upon the total metered units of water consumed on or in connection with the real property in a billing cycle. The bill exempts residential customers with separate outdoor water or sewer accounts from charges for sewer disposal services recorded by meters tied to the outdoor account or that resulted from the disposal of water obtained from an outdoor source. Essentially, a resident with a separate outdoor account is not to be responsible for sewer service charges related to the resident's use of water from an outdoor source. This bill takes effect immediately, except with respect to local public authorities and local units that do not have meters installed on the effective date of this bill. For those entities, the provisions of the bill are to become operative as soon as technically feasible, but not later than the first day of the fourth year next following enactment.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that local public authorities charging for water and sewer services must base residential customer bills exclusively on metered consumption, meaning charges will be determined by the actual amount of water used, rather than other factors like the number of fixtures or people in a home. It also allows for a tiered rate system, where different rates can be applied based on the total volume of water consumed within a billing period. Importantly, residential customers with separate outdoor water or sewer accounts will be exempt from sewer disposal fees for water used outdoors, such as for irrigation, as long as it's metered separately. The bill takes effect immediately, but for authorities that don't yet have meters installed, these new rules will become effective as soon as technically possible, but no later than four years after the bill is enacted.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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