The price of water goes up in Sussex-Wantage

SUSSEX-Residents of Sussex Borough and Wantage who get their water from the borough's system will see a five percent increase in their May 1 bills. The initial hit will be somewhat higher than the five percent because the increase will be retroactive to the beginning of the year. The rate increase was approved by the Sussex Borough Mayor and Council last month. The body said the hike was necessary because the water district had been operating for a number of years at a deficit, with the difference coming out of the borough's budget. "The amount of revenues for water and sewer collected weren't meeting the expenditures," said Sam Rome, chief financial officer for Sussex Borough. "Since the late 90's, the town has gone over its quota and refused to raise rates, which took away from the surplus." Rome said that the deficit is the result of ongoing and costly studies of how to improve the system and eliminate sewer infiltration in the town. "The utility of water and sewer has been operating at a deficit for a period of time," added Borough Clerk Vito Gadaleta. "The governing body had to take action and address the billing structure, so it was necessary to raise rates on the water and sewer side." The hike is part of a long-range plan calling for a 25 percent rate increase over the next five years. The goal is to correct major problems with a sewer system that has lines that go back as much as 100 years. "We prefer not to raise rates, but we have obligations to be self-liquidated on our water-sewer line items," said Mayor Katherine Little. "This has to be covered and cannot be avoided. If the water bill wasn't raised, then taxes would be."