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The Essex Fells Water Department started in 1893, when the developers of Essex Fells were committed to having an adequate supply of good water for its residents. In August of 1920, the Borough of Essex Fells purchased the water system from the developer, which consisted back then of 6 wells, and a 1.75 million gallon open reservoir.

Today, The Essex Fells Water Department has 16 wells, with 3 water storage tanks, totaling 2.8 million gallons, various interconnections, booster pumping stations, and transmission and distribution facilities a treatment facility and a main pumping station. We supply drinking water not only the customers of Essex Fells, but supply the towns of Roseland, Caldwell, North Caldwell, and the Hilltop portion of Verona with drinking water.

The Water Department is a 7 day a week operation with three full time employees sharing rotating shifts to maintain and operate its facilities. We are tasked with various duties that include:

• Maintaining and repairs of well pumps
• Maintaining and repairs of water storage facilities
• Maintaining and repairs to water mains
• Maintaining and repairs to fire hydrants
• Maintaining and repair of residential water meters
• Reading of residential water meters for billing
• Water sampling in accordance with NJDEP standards

The Water Department every year undergoes various Capital Projects to upgrade and improve the Water system, from replacing residential meters, to replacing water mains, and wells

Water billing and meters:

Water bills are sent on a quarterly basis, in the months of April, July, October, and January. As with taxes, it is the responsibility of residents to make sure their bills are current. All water meters in town have been replaced with a newer radio reading device, which is not only more accurate, but cuts down in reading error that occurred from manual reading of a meter.

From time to time water meters and the remote reading devices fail. It is the responsibility of the resident to make an appointment when he or she notices there water bill is at $1000.00. This is a set amount that is billed to make the customer aware that there is an issue with their meter. The Water Department owns all water meters and equipment which it needs access to, and will at no charge replace the defective equipment at no cost to the customer.

Various water charges:

The Water Department is governed by the Borough Council, who sets the following rates for service:

• The rate for water consumption shall be $5.50 for each thousand gallon of water consumed. This rate went into effect beginning of the first quarter of 2018
• Test of water meter found not to be defective or out of order: $125
• Records change (billing office): $100
• Water shutoff and restart: $200
• Temporary permit for use of water during construction: $250
• Road opening and restoration of pavement: $100 per square feet; $50 minimum
• Inspection of house service connection: $50
• Final reading of a meter for house sale: $100
• Minimum bill for stopped or no read meter: $1,000 (Amended 11-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-968)
• Minimum bill for a fire sprinkler: $50 (Added 11-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-968)

Installation and maintenance of meter(s) on house service line or replacement of a meter with a larger one:

• 5/8 inch $200
• 5/8 inch x 3/4 inch; $250
• 3/4 inch; $300
• 1 inch; $400
• 1 1/2 inches; $600
• 2 inches; $700

Water Content:
Water Hardness Between: 80 to 180 Parts Per Million
(6 to 10 Grains Per Gallon)

pH Between: 6.5 to 7.8