Lakewood resident also has issue with NJAWC

Iwas amazed to read the guest column by Howell resident James J. Gerard in the Nov. 21 edition of the Tri-Town News ("Mysterious Sewer Charge, Lack of Explanation Irk Resident") because it mirrored my experiences with the New Jersey American Water Company (NJAWC) almost exactly.

Although I live in Lakewood, I, too, have been victimized by the NJAWC with unexplained and excessive charges on my water and sewer bills.

I called the NJAWC any number of times requesting an explanation of what they label as PSTAC and PWAC charges. Despite my conversations with several different representatives and "supervisors," no one has been able to give me an explanation.

All I get is the same statement that Mr. Gerard got, namely, that these are pass-throughs of third-party expenses for treating sewer wastewater.

When I called the Ocean County Utilities Authority (the only entity in Ocean County that processes sewage) and spoke to one of the officials in charge of finance, I got a different story.

The representative indicated that they charge NJAWC $3,500 per million gallons, or 35 cents per 1,000. According to my bill, NJAWC is charging between $18.14 and up per 1,000 gallons.

On more than one occasion I asked NJAWC to fax me a copy of the authorization from the public utility commission allowing these charges. I further asked them to break down their figures so I could see exactly what they are charging for. Although they have promised to fax both the requested items, I have not received them.

This problem is not limited to my personal water and sewer bills. As a Realtor and property manager, I occasionally receive bills for the properties I manage, and the practices of NJAWC are the same for those properties. It seems to me, therefore, that the practice is widespread and system wide.

As far as I can tell, NJAWC is charging excessive amounts that they have no authorization or right to charge. It further seems to me that they will continue to do so until the public protests loudly and in large enough numbers that they will stop.

I am trying to publicize the actions of this utility company to arouse the public to action. Moreover, I am calling on our elected representatives and Board of Freeholders to get involved and put a stop to the underhanded practices of the NJAWC.

Jesse M. Roth

Lakewood