Resident says sewer rate is the real culprit in Howell

I am deeply insulted by Lendel Jones' letter "Custo-mers Are Paying for a Ser-vice They Are Using." You state that you understand how we feel but you cannot possibly understand how we feel if you don't even understand our problem.

It is the sewer rate and not the water rate that we are outraged about. The rate for sewer ($8.9788 per 1,000 gallons) is more than double that of the water rate ($4.357 per 1,000 gallons).

We pay this outrageous sewer rate for water that is used for both domestic and non-domestic use such as sprinklers and filling pools, however, this water goes into the ground and not the sewer.

You mention The Reserve at the Manasquan River since we have been the most vocal, organized customers against you as of late, however, there are similar developments in Howell facing the same problem we are such as Country Meadows, Park Ridge, and senior communities like Surrey Downs and The Villages. At a recent Township Council meeting there were residents from these other developments present to express their outrage.

How would you feel if your water and sewer bill was averaging $1,500 a quarter when a few miles down the road in the same town, your neighbor was paying that for the entire year?

The only difference is that one is run by the town of Howell and the other by the New Jersey American Water Company. The Howell sewer authority charges a flat sewer rate of approximately $150 a quarter.

Finally, since you compare our problem to that of one with a phone bill, I'd like to remind you that there is a choice of phone companies, Verizon, AT&T, or even Cablevision's Optimum Voice. Even for television there is a choice, cablevision or satellite. What choice do Howell residents have for water and sewer?

New Jersey American Water's recommendation is to add an auxiliary meter at the bargain price of $2,300 plus permit and plumbing fees to install the meter from the street to our home when we already have sufficient flow through our current feed and a second meter will not increase overall usage. The second meter could simply be added with a tap off of the current water line.

Instead, you are trying to charge another outrageous fee which would only cause additional distress and financial hardship to your Howell customers. How equitable and responsible is that, Ms. Jones?

Christine Loizos

Howell