Ridgewood Water proposes rate adjustment, new contracts and security upgrades
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Summary
Deputy director Bill Bierwas presented four water-department agenda items including a recommendation for a WSP Inc. professional services contract (NTE $109,000), OSI security upgrades (~$311,005), an ordinance to adjust water rates (about an 11.3% average customer increase), and a small refund authorization; the council was asked to introduce the rate change next week to align with the budget calendar.
Ridgewood Water officials at the Feb. 4 workshop outlined several departmental actions tied to operations and the 2026 budget.
Deputy Director Bill Bierwas recommended renewing professional services with WSP Inc., Ridgewood Water’s hydrogeologist and permitting consultant, under a not-to-exceed contract of $109,000 for calendar year 2026. He also presented phase 3 of security upgrades across water facilities with Open System Integrators, a package quoted at $311,004.93, covering smart locks, cameras and SCADA integration.
Bierwas described a proposed amendment to the local code to raise the volume rate and facility charge by 8 percent each—an overall average customer increase of about 11.3%. He said Raftelis, the borough’s independent consultant, reviewed the proposal and found it “reasonable and appropriate” and aligned with industry standards. The manager said the ordinance would be introduced next week to align with the budget calendar and the 2026 Ridgewood Water budget.
Bierwas also requested authorization to refund an overpayment on a water account where a customer paid after selling a house; staff provided bank records and internal documentation to support the refund. No final votes on the rate ordinance or the contracts were taken at the workshop; the rate adjustment will be introduced as an ordinance next week for further consideration.