Evesham MUA advances two-step rate rise to fund infrastructure and reserves
Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority, New Jersey · Meeting date: November 4, 2026 · Published: November 5, 2026
Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority will hold a rate hearing in December on increases that would add $18 per quarter for an average residential customer in 2027, followed by a further $16 per quarter in 2028. The authority said the measured increases are needed to sustain capital works, debt service and emergency and capital reserves.
Key points
- The board approved advertising for a December rate hearing covering proposed increases of approximately 7% in 2027 and 6% in 2028.
- For a residential customer using 22,000 gallons per quarter, the proposal equates to $18 per quarter, or $6 per month, in 2027 and $16 per quarter, or $5.33 per month, in 2028.
- The authority last increased rates in February 2025 and said the new revenue would support operations, capital projects, debt service, and emergency and capital reserves.
- The proposal also includes changes to construction-water and miscellaneous service charges, including a new charge for no-fault service calls.
- Separately, the board amended its fiscal 2027 budget to align debt-service budgeting with the timing of cash payments rather than accruals.
Full report
Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority has moved a proposed two-year rate increase towards a December public hearing, saying the additional revenue is needed to preserve infrastructure, meet operating and regulatory costs, service debt and strengthen reserves.
The board approved advertising for the hearing at its 4 November meeting. Under the proposal, rates would increase by approximately 7% in 2027 and a further 6% in 2028. For an average residential customer using 22,000 gallons per quarter, this would mean an additional $18 per quarter, or $6 per month, in 2027, followed by $16 per quarter, or $5.33 per month, in 2028.
The authority last raised rates in February 2025. Staff described the proposed increases as a two-step, measured adjustment intended to support longer-term planning rather than defer costs until a major system failure requires a larger response. Revenue would support operations, certain capital projects, debt service, and modest additions to emergency and capital reserves.
“Continued investment into our infrastructure is necessary to prevent against catastrophic failures in the future,” staff said in presenting the proposal. They also cited rising operational and capital costs and rigorous regulatory compliance requirements.
Board members supported the phased approach, with one describing it as an appropriate response to inflationary pressures while limiting the impact on ratepayers. The authority said its water and sewer charges remain in the lower third of a comparison of 25 municipalities, based on an annual rate review presented to the board.
The rate package would also adjust construction-water service and miscellaneous charges. Among the changes is a proposed charge for no-fault service calls, where authority personnel respond to an issue that proves to be the customer’s responsibility, such as a private lateral backup or an internal plumbing problem. Staff said such visits can be costly, particularly outside normal hours.
If approved following the hearing, the new charges would take effect on 1 January.
The board also adopted a fiscal 2027 budget amendment to change the treatment of annual debt-service payments. Rather than budget the expense on an accrual basis in advance of a 1 July payment, the authority will budget it when the payment is made. Staff said the change, preferred by the current auditor, is a timing adjustment rather than an increase in expense or an indication of a cash deficit. It is intended to avoid a deficit appearing in financial statements when outstanding debt falls after bond repayments.
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Source: Board Meeting, Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority