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Garfield council adopts modest water-rate increase after residents press quality concerns
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 3067 to raise water rates after residents questioned tap-water quality and affordability. City officials said PFAS filters funded with ARP dollars brought the system into compliance; officials also discussed Pake Valley supplier rate increases and long-term billing changes.
Garfield Mayor and Council voted April 22 to adopt a water-rate increase (Ordinance 3067, R-215-25) after a public hearing in which residents raised concerns about tap-water taste, odor and overall quality.
Resident Jerry Ladford told the council he "buys bottled water" because he doubts the municipal supply. Ladford and others cited lingering perceptions that Garfield’s water tastes or smells unpleasant.
City Manager Delaney responded that the city proactively invested in filters to address PFAS-level concerns and used American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to pay for upgrades so residential taxes would not increase. "We are now fully compliant with all state requirements," Delaney said at the meeting, noting that New Jersey has strict standards.
Council members acknowledged the inconvenience of higher rates but said Garfield’s water rates remain lower than many New Jersey municipalities. Council discussed Pake Valley — the regional supplier whose annual rate increases affect municipal bills — and raised the possibility of bringing water billing back in-house after a planned meter-replacement project and the end of a 10-year contract in October.
The ordinance passed on final reading after council discussion of compliance, billing irregularities and a promise from staff to continue exploring options to improve service and billing consistency.
What happens next: staff will continue the meter-replacement program, examine billing options after the Pake Valley contract expires, and return with implementation steps as requested by council members.
