Flemington Raises Water Bills for 5,000 Households Starting September

At its regular meeting on July 7, the Flemington City Council passed the 2026 utility rate ordinance by a 5-2 margin, increasing base water charges by 4.5 percent and sewer charges by 3 percent. The measure applies to the 8,400 residential accounts that receive city water and sewer service.

The adjustment follows the release of the annual Utility Rate Study completed in May, which identified $1.8 million in deferred maintenance on the 42-year-old treatment plant and distribution lines. Council members reviewed the study during the public hearing portion of the meeting before the final vote.

Changes to Resident Monthly Costs

Under the new schedule, a household using the citywide average of 6,200 gallons per month will pay $48.10 for water and sewer combined, up from $46.05. The increase appears on bills mailed after September 1 and covers the full billing cycle. Residents who use more than 10,000 gallons will see an additional tier charge of $0.12 per 100 gallons above the new base rate.

The ordinance also eliminates the $8 senior discount that previously applied to accounts where at least one resident is 65 or older. City records show 1,120 households currently receive that discount and will lose it starting with the September billing cycle.

Use of Additional Revenue

The rate change is projected to generate $312,000 in new annual revenue, according to the adopted budget amendment. Of that amount, $185,000 is earmarked for replacement of 1,200 linear feet of 8-inch water main along Main Street between Church Street and Hopewell Avenue. The remaining funds will support emergency repairs and increased chemical costs at the treatment facility.

Implementation begins with meter readings collected in late August. Customers may request a payment plan through the utility office if the higher bill creates immediate hardship; the plan spreads the increase over three billing cycles at no added interest.