A New Jersey Affordability Methodology and Assessment for Drinking Water and Sewer Utility Costs

This report, A New Jersey Affordability Methodology and Assessment for Drinking Water and Sewer Utility Costs, presents a detailed methodology for assessing the extent to which current drinking water and sewer utility costs pose a major financial burden for New Jersey households. The report also provides the results from applying the methodology using utility rate schedules from the year 2020, and the most recent information on household incomes and expenditures. The report is intended to address a primary question that New Jersey, and indeed the nation, faces: What is the geographic distribution and approximate number of households potentially facing affordability issues from water and sewer costs, if they receive no financial assistance?

The resulting affordability assessment for New Jersey is one metric in the “Jersey WaterCheck” data dashboard from Jersey Water Works that will track progress in reaching the collaborative’s goals.