Orange council adopts water-rate increase citing PFAS, lead-line work and capital costs

The City of Orange Township council voted to adopt Ordinance 62-2025, which adjusts water and sewer rates to cover capital improvements, regulatory compliance and debt service.

Resident Brent Engel testified that recent series of rate increases has pressured households and warned of potential foreclosures if costs keep rising. In response, city staff said rate changes are driven by multiple obligations: stricter PFAS water-quality standards, mandated lead-service-line replacements under state and federal programs, and ongoing capital and maintenance needs. A city utilities official told the council the system spends about $3,000,000 a year in capital repairs and that temporary measures have been used to avoid fines while a permanent solution is built.

Council members debated affordability, alternatives such as sale of the system to a private operator and whether additional grant and principal-free loan opportunities have been pursued. Staff said they have pursued grants and loan programs, and are in talks with developers about capital projects. The ordinance includes an annual 3% escalation in some fees and other adjustments described in the municipal code change.

The council adopted the ordinance on a recorded roll call; the clerk recorded the motion as passing with 5 yes, 1 abstain and 1 no. Members asked administration staff to continue pursuing grant funding and to provide budget-workshop materials; the administration responded that departmental budget worksheets are due Nov. 14 and that a series of budget workshops will begin at the end of November.

Councilors and staff noted that selling the system to a private entity remains an option in other municipalities but carries its own risks, such as BPU-regulated private providers raising rates under different terms. The council instructed staff to return with additional financial detail and outreach recommendations for households likely to be affected.