New jersey american water acquires salem's water and sewer systems for $18 million
Glass at water tap and filling water.

New Jersey American Water Acquires Salem’s Water and Sewer Systems for $18 Million

Posted by
1 min read
November 30, 2023

CAMDEN, N.J. – New Jersey American Water announced its $18 million purchase of Salem City’s water and sewer systems, serving over 2,300 customers. The acquisition, supported by a November 7, 2023, referendum with 60% voter approval, promises significant investment and rate stabilization.

Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, expressed gratitude to Salem’s community for their trust. The company’s sole focus on water and sewer services underpins its commitment to enhancing these utilities.

The agreement includes a $50 million infrastructure investment plan within the first decade post-acquisition. This plan, pending New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJ BPU) approval, encompasses system upgrades, PFNA treatment implementation, and repairs to the city’s aging water and sewer infrastructure. Additionally, the rate plan will freeze current sewer rates for two years, followed by a maximum 3% annual increase over the subsequent three years.

Salem City Mayor Jody Veler highlighted the sale’s benefits, including professional management of the utilities, debt reduction, and financial gains for the city budget. The transition aims to ensure reliable and affordable services for Salem residents.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version