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Bank Of America Investment New Jersey utilities have to pay up to half the costs of federally mandated studies on the vulnerability of their water supplies to terrorism, but utility officials said yesterday there would be no rate hikes.

If hose pipe bans are not sufficient, essential use do not help water availability, then water suppliers can apply for Scarcity Status. If the government grants this, then the suppliers can consider making meters compulsory for consumers. The theory is that this way people will waste less water and pay just for the water they actually use. Folkestone and Dover Water was the first supplier to be given Scarcity Status in 2006 and is rolling out metering in its region.

Investment Opportunity Elizabethtown Water Co., which serves 54 municipalities in Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, Hunterdon and Morris counties, is to receive $115,000 in federal funds to assess the safety of its facilities and distribution systems.

As the UK, particularly the South experiences dry winters and falling water levels, the water industry is in discussion with the government to decide how the UK can deal with water shortages in the future. While it is clear we can no longer take water for granted the cost of water to consumers is an on going debate. Water companies want us to pay more for our water and there are calls for water meters to be fitted as standard. However pressure groups argue that if a water supplier restricts supplies, customers should pay less.

Banc Of America Investment Utility spokeswoman Erin Reilly said that amount will cover about half the actual costs of the assessment and planning to remediate deficiencies.

Banking Investment She said no additional government money is expected, and that the Plainfield-based utility has reserved company funds to make up the difference.

Your gas, electricity and water bills are priority debts. If you cana t pay your bills in full, you will need to work out a repayment plan to address any outstanding debt. You should contact your utility suppliers to let them know youa re having difficulties paying, as well as presenting a plan to repay the debt. Gas and electricity If you have problems dealing with your gas and electricity supplier, you can contact the consumer watchdog, energywatch. They can give you free advice.

Investment Solution Strategic Reilly said the costs will not be passed on to rate-payers.

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Investment Banking Services United Water-New Jersey, which serves Rahway, Manalapan and much of Hudson and Bergen counties, received an identical grant. Spokeswoman Terri Guess said any costs incurred beyond the grant amount would be borne by the company.

Bank Investment New Jersey-American Water Co., the largest supplier in the state with operations from Cape May to Warren counties, also said there will be no effect on customers' pocketbooks.

Alternative Investment Spokeswoman Lenden Jones said utilities have been doing assessments and modifications for more than a year, well before the federal funding was even considered.

Online Investment Services "Right after Sept. 11 we started looking at how vulnerable we were, and started making changes immediately," she said.

Accompany Essential Investment Jones said, "We did what was necessary in order to help protect our water supply and make sure consumers have confidence in the water we are supplying them."

Investment Company The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said $115,000 was the maximum grant water utilities could apply for.

Investment Management Solution Nina Habib Spencer, spokeswoman for the EPA's regional water office in New York City, said there is no additional money for studies and planning, but noted the Bioterrorism Act of 2002, passed by Congress in June, will provide funds for fencing and other modifications at water plants.

Investment Management Services Spencer said it is up to individual utilities, or state utility boards, whether to pass on the costs on to customers.

Guide Investment Stock "We did surveys, and if the costs of the assessments are over the grant amounts, they're not significantly over," she said. "We're not talking about a difference of several hundred thousand dollars."

Investment Manual Solution The grant to Elizabethtown Water was announced yesterday by Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-Union) in Washington, D.C.

Investment Stock "Ensuring safe drinking water is essential to New Jersey families and businesses, and this study will test possible vulnerabilities and allow officials to take steps to protect our water supply," said Ferguson.

Essential Investment Solution The congressman is a member of the House Transportation Committee, which has oversight over the security of water infrastructure.

Citicorp Investment Services Last spring Congress approved the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act, mandating that water companies conduct assessments and develop an emergency response plan.

Fool Guide Investment Motley The law, approved in May, authorized $53 million in federal funds to underwrite costs of the studies.

Fidelity Investment Services Reilly, of Elizabethtown Water, said, "The grant will allow us to continue to review the configuration of our critical assets, which started after Sept. 11 (2001), to determine what is susceptible and what are the consequences if one of our facilities is hit.

Investment Management "Once the study and planning is completed, we will prioritize the recommendations and fit them in our capital program. We also will update our emergency response plan and send copies to all employees."

Francisco Investment San By Jason Jett
Star-Ledger - 10/4/2002

Topic: Water

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