On October 7, 2025 South Orange Village and New Jersey American Water (NJAW) completed the sale of the water system. `
See below for information on how to reach NJAW. Additionally, please watch your mail for information coming directly from NJAW.
Requests for Emergency Assistance:
Customers are now served directly by New Jersey American Water and they can report emergencies 24/7 to 1.800.272.1325 or create an emergency service request online at emergency.amwater.com.
Customers can also view active alerts at newjerseyamwater.com/alerts.
Requests when moving into or out of a property in South Orange Village:
Customers are now served directly by New Jersey American Water and can request move in/out information between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm Monday through Friday at 1.800.272.1325 or they can schedule a move in/out request through New Jersey American Water’s website at amwater.com/mywater.
Requests for a Routine Service call:
Customers can now request routine services between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday through Friday at 1.800.272.1325 or they can schedule routine services through New Jersey American Water’s website at amwater.com/mywater.
See the NJAW South Orange Information page here: South Orange Info
Billing:
South Orange Water Utility:
Billing for South Orange Water Utility ended with final meter readings on October 6. A final bill from South Orange Village was issued. Customers had 45 days to pay this final bill via the existing methods (ended 11/25/25).
Payments still can be made by sending a check payable to:
South Orange Water Utility
76 South Orange Ave.
South Orange, NJ 07079
Attn: Finance Department
Note: Include your Water account number on the check.
South Orange Water Utility Customer Service:
973 378-7715 X 7760
Unpaid balances after the transition period will be added as a line item to the municipal property tax bill. If left unpaid, these charges will become subject to tax sale in September 2026.
New Jersey American Water:
Customers will receive their next monthly billing from New Jersey American Water.
With this change, customers must now set up bill payments directly through New Jersey American Water or update their online banking system information. Customer account numbers and the payment address can be found on your new NJAW bill.
A welcome letter and welcome packet with details regarding their New Jersey American Water account will be mailed to South Orange customers directly from NJAW.
To speak to an agent regarding questions on NJAW bills, customers can between the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday through Friday call at 1.800.272.1325 or can view details of their account online at amwater.com/mywater.
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Chronology of steps leading to the sale of the system.
On Nov. 4, 2024, South Orange residents voted in favor of a referendum supporting the potential sale of its water system to New Jersey American Water (NJAW).
NEXT STEPS
With the referendum now passed, the Village Council has movedD forward with the sale.
The steps include a review of the specifics of the sales agreement, to ensure that all negotiated terms are represented. The legislative and regulatory next steps. as well as billing closeout, include:
Approval of the sales agreement by the Village Council - 2/26/25, Completed
Approval of municipal consent ordinance allowing NJAW to inspect the system - 2/26/25, Completed
Approval of the sales agreement by the state Board of Public Utilities, Completed
Review of the sales agreement by the state Division of Local Government Services and Office of the State Comptroller, Completed
Close of sale/sales agreement executed:
-Final So Orange invoices issued - Completed
-Final payment due mid-November - November 20, 2025.Cutover to NJAW billing system: October 7, 2025 and Info packet mailed by NJAW.
In the months ahead, South Orange will focus on ensuring a smooth transition and will work closely with NJAW to keep residents informed every step of the way.
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History of sale:
On July 29, 2024 the South Orange Village Council approved an ordinance authorizing a ballot referendum for consideration during the upcoming general election on November 5.
The referendum asks South Orange residents to consider the sale of the Village's water system to New Jersey American Water (NJAW):
“Shall South Orange Village, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, be authorized to sell its water distribution and transmission system (commonly known as the “system”) to New Jersey American Water Company, Inc. for the sum of $19,700,000?”
_____ Yes _____ No
NJAW Proposal Overview
- Purchase and Investment totaling $69.7 million dollars: NJAW will buy the water system for $19.7 million and invest an additional $50 million in infrastructure upgrades over the next 10 years - important infrastructure improvements resulting in a modernized and upgraded water system.
- Lead Line Replacement: NJAW will replace all lead lines on both the utility and customer sides.
- Rate Predictability: NJAW will implement a phased-in rate increase, with a projected annual rate increase of only 1.8% in the initial 5 years, then converging with rates in adjacent municipalities.
- NJAW offers a five-year rate schedule with a hold for the first two years and 3% annual increases for years 3-5.
- Rates will be regulated by the NJBPU.
Background
- Task Force Formation: In September 2022, Mayor Sheena Collum formed a task force to evaluate the most effective way to deliver high-quality water to South Orange residents because of key critical issues facing the water department and South Orange Village:
- End of Current Agreement: NJAW will cease its Operations and Management (O&M) for South Orange after July 2026.
- Lead Line Replacement Costs: There are substantial costs associated with identifying and replacing lead/galvanized lines.
- Debt and Capital Improvement Needs: The Village currently holds long-term debt amounting to $18 million with significant additional spending required.
- Future Water Supply Costs: The Village does not own its water supply and anticipates increased costs for bulk water purchases.
Timeline
8/29/24 - South Orange Village Announces Town Halls/Community Discussions
South Orange Village will hold three town halls to allow community members to learn more about the potential sale of the water system and ask their questions directly to the Village elected officials and staff members. There will be two virtual meetings and one in-person meeting on the following dates:
- Wednesday, September 11, 7pm, Virtual
- Wednesday, September 25, 7pm
- Wednesday, October 9, 7pm, In-person, Baird Community Center, 5 Mead Street, 3rd Floor
July 29, 2024 - Village Council Adopts Ordinance Authorizing Ballot Referendum
At a special meeting on July 29, the South Orange Village Council voted 4-2 to put the question of whether or not to sell the water utility on the ballot this November. Details on the referendum and the sales proposal from New Jersey American Water can be found on the ordinance linked here, and below.
7/18/24 - Special Meeting Announced
South Orange Village announced the 7/29/24 Special Meeting held of the Village Council focusing on the adoption of an ordinance advancing the sale of the South Orange Water System. The ordinance authorizes a ballot referendum for consideration by voters during the general election on November 5, 2024 to consider the sale of the Village's water system to New Jersey American Water, Inc.
“The adoption of this ordinance allows us to move forward and place this question on the ballot to let the public decide,” said South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, adding, "we'll begin scheduling community conversations after Labor Day and leading up to Election Day."
September 2022 - Water Utility Task Force
In September 2022, Village President Sheena Collum established a water utility task force to “evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective structure to deliver high-quality and safe water to the residents and stakeholders in South Orange and, in performing that evaluation, to consider (without limitation) capital investments, consequential water rate(s), staffing, operations, maintenance, alternative ownership structures and potential sale of the utility to a private regulated utility” (Resolution No. 2022-VP04).
The formation of the task force was largely precipitated by three critical issues:
New Jersey American Water indicated that it would no longer continue offering Operations and Management (O&M) for the South Orange Water Utility after the current agreement expires in July 2026.
The cost and financial impact of the state-mandated identification of and replacement of lead/galvanized lines and the direct costs to homeowners.
The long-term overall debt and Capital Improvement Plan, currently at $16.6M (at the time of this posting).