Wildwood Approves $10 Million Water-Meter Replacement Project; What It Could Mean for Customers

The major infrastructure investment comes as the city's water utility continues upgrading aging pipes and service lines across the Wildwoods.

WILDWOOD, N.J. — Wildwood has finalized a $10 million appropriation for water-meter replacements, adding another major investment to a series of infrastructure improvements affecting residents and businesses throughout the island.

The city's Board of Commissioners approved Bond Ordinance No. 1364-26, providing $10 million for water-meter replacements for the municipal Water Utility.

The final ordinance was posted on the city's official public-notice website Sept. 10, following an earlier pending notice posted Aug. 27.

The project could affect a broad range of water customers, including homeowners, rental properties, hotels, motels, restaurants and other businesses that rely on the municipal water system.

However, the city has not publicly established how many meters will be replaced, when installations will begin or whether customers will face any additional charges associated with the project.

A Water System Serving More Than Wildwood

Although the project is being authorized by the City of Wildwood, its municipal water utility serves a much larger area.

According to the utility's official website, it provides drinking water and fire protection to customers in Wildwood, North Wildwood, West Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.

Its service territory also includes the Diamond Beach and Shawcrest sections of Lower Township and the Rio Grande section of Middle Township.

That regional service area means the meter replacement project could have implications beyond Wildwood's municipal boundaries.

The city has not specified whether the $10 million program will include customers throughout the utility's entire service territory or be limited to particular locations.

The total number of meters involved has also not been publicly established.

Will Water Bills Increase?

For residents and businesses, one of the most immediate questions is whether the investment will affect their water bills.

Water meters measure the amount of water a property consumes, providing the basis for usage-related charges.

Replacing older meters can improve the accuracy of consumption measurements and reduce problems associated with aging equipment.

Depending on the technology selected, newer meters may also provide additional capabilities, such as automated readings or improved leak detection.

However, Wildwood has not announced what type of meters will be installed as part of the $10 million project.

The city has also not established whether the replacement program will result in higher water rates, separate installation fees or other changes to customer billing.

The appropriation itself does not establish that water bills will increase.

Under the city's existing water utility regulations, meters are maintained by the utility, and customers may request accuracy testing when they believe their meter is not recording consumption correctly.

The regulations also provide for billing adjustments under specified circumstances when testing identifies an inaccurate meter.

Part of a Larger Water Infrastructure Investment

The meter replacement project comes as Wildwood continues a broader effort to modernize its water and sewer infrastructure.

In August, the city announced a $4.76 million water and sewer improvement project financed through the New Jersey Water Bank.

The work includes improvements along portions of Roberts, Youngs, Oak and Magnolia avenues and Park Boulevard.

The project is intended to improve water quality and drinking water infrastructure for residents and businesses.

Separately, the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank announced in June that Wildwood had secured a $2.6 million loan for improvements to its aging water distribution system.

That project includes replacing approximately 4,150 linear feet of water mains, 150 water service connections, 95 lead service lines and nine fire hydrant assemblies.

The work also includes improvements to five of the city's most heavily used wells.

The state said the $2.6 million loan is expected to qualify for full principal forgiveness at long-term closing, if awarded as anticipated, substantially reducing the city's repayment obligation.

These projects are separate from the $10 million water-meter replacement program.

What Happens Next?

Wildwood's $10 million appropriation establishes funding authority for the meter replacement project, but several important details remain unresolved.

The city has not publicly announced a timetable for installations, identified the specific meter technology to be purchased or established how many properties will be affected.

It is also unclear whether the work will be completed in phases or whether customers will need to provide access to their properties for installation.

The city's existing water utility regulations establish procedures for meter installation, maintenance and billing, but those general rules do not establish the requirements for this particular replacement program.

For now, the project represents a significant new investment in Wildwood's water system, with the potential to affect customers throughout the utility's service area.

Further details about the installation schedule, project boundaries and customer costs will determine how the $10 million investment translates into changes for residents and businesses.

Residents seeking information about their water service can contact the Wildwood Water Utility at 609-846-0600.