Nutley receives the majority of its potable water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC). Its main facility is the Little Falls Water Treatment Plant in Totowa, NJ. Water is diverted from the Passaic and Pompton Rivers, is treated, filtered and disinfected at the plant. In drought conditions or other emergency, water from the Point View Reservoir in Wayne, NJ can be used to supplement river sources. Treated water is then mixed at PVWC’s main pumping station with treated water from the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission’s Wanaque Reservoir treatment plant. Water is then pumped into underground transmission lines running through Nutley. Nutley has four (4) intake pit areas along this transmission line located at:
Coeyman Avenue • Ridge Road • Centre Street • Meacham Avenue
At these intakes, the water goes into our distribution system. The water is then conveyed into all homes or businesses connected to the system.
The City of Newark serves a small area of Nutley with Pequannock Reservoir Water. This area is located west of Ridge Road and Van Winkle Avenue and bordered by Glenview Road, the Township of Nutley/Bloomfield boundary line and East Passaic Avenue.
The Nutley Water Department is a public community water system and purchases water from the following water systems:
- Passaic Valley Water Commission - PWSID # NJ1605002
- North Jersey District Water Supply Commission - Wanaque North System - PWSID # NJ1613001
- Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority - PWSID # NJ090600
- Newark Water Department - PWSID # NJ0714001
The majority of the township receives its water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission.
The City of Newark serves a small area of Nutley (436 homes) with Pequannock Reservoir Water. This area is located west of Ridge Road and Van Winkle Avenue and bordered by Glenview Road, the Township of Nutley/Bloomfield boundary line and East Passaic Avenue. To view a map of the affected area, please click here.
Call the Nutley Water Department at 973-284-4984. If after hours, contact the Police Department at 973-284-4940.
Brown water occurs when the flow of water in the mains is altered. That can occur from unauthorized use of fire hydrants, fire fighting, or a water main break. Please note that even though it is discolored, the water is still safe.
Please run water for 10-15 minutes or until water clears to address any discolored water.
The Nutley Water Department routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to federal and state laws.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require that all public water systems issue an annual Water Quality Report. The intent of this regulation is to inform consumers about the source and quality of their drinking water, and to assemble this information in an easy to read format.
The Water Quality Report is mailed out annual to all Water Department customers. Additional copies of the report are available upon request.
- View current and past Water Quality Reports
The Nutley Sewer Utility is a newly established entity that combines with the existing Nutley Water Utility to provide a fair and equitable mechanism for property owners to pay for the cost of wastewater treatment and the maintenance and improvement of Nutley’s sewer infrastructure. This change will take effect on July 1, 2024.
The new Sewer Utility aims to address the inequity of the previous system, which charged all property owners a fixed percentage (9.3%) of their property's assessed value regardless of their water consumption and wastewater generation. By basing the cost on actual water usage, the new system ensures that those who generate more wastewater pay a proportionate share of the expenses.
The new sewer charges will be based on actual water usage as determined by meter readings. Charges will be issued quarterly, and sewer costs will be removed from the tax bill. The rates have been calculated to ensure fairness and equity among all property owners.
- Residential Properties:
- $53.00 for up to 1,000 cu. ft. (7,480 gallons)
- $26.50 for each additional prorated 500 cu. ft. (3,740 gallons)
- $5.76 Improvement charge
- Commercial Properties:
- $105.00 for up to 1,000 cu. ft. (7,480 gallons)
- $52.50 for each additional prorated 500 cu. ft. (3,740 gallons)
- $10.00 Improvement charge
Yes, credits will be available for property owners who use significant amounts of water for swimming pools and lawn sprinkler systems, as this water may not enter the sewer system.
To apply for credits, you will need to fill out a specific application form, which is available on the Township website www.nutleynj.org/watersewer. Instructions and eligibility criteria will be provided to ensure a smooth application process.
In cases where meter readings cannot determine water usage, the charge will be estimated using industry-standard engineering methods. If you believe your meter readings are inaccurate, please contact the offices of the Nutley Water and Sewer Department for assistance at 973-284-4984.
The cost of the sewer system will be removed from the tax bill, and sewer charges will appear as a separate item on your quarterly water bill. This separation allows for more transparency and ensures that sewer-related expenses are funded solely by the new charges.
For more information, please visit the Township website at www.nutleynj.org/watersewer to view the sewer ordinance, including new rates and fees. You can also call the Nutley Water and Sewer Department at 973-284-4958 or email WaterSewer@nutleynj.org with any questions or concerns.
Tips on water conservation and ways to reduce your water and sewer bills can be found in the “Tips to Reduce High Water (and Sewer) Bills” document available on the Township website www.nutleynj.org/watersewer.
- Download
Yes, the establishment of a Sewer Utility is common in New Jersey. Nutley will join the other 21 municipalities in Essex County that have implemented a Sewer Utility to provide a more equitable way to fund sewer system costs.
Residential properties (4 families and below) and commercial properties are billed quarterly. High usage customers are billed monthly.
The current water and sewer rates are effective as of July 1, 2024. You may view them by clicking here.
We accept payments by check, money order, credit/debit card, and online through our website. Cash payments can be made in person at our office.
We do not accept credit/debit card information over the phone.
Bills can be paid in person at Town Hall, dropped in the drop box at the side entrance of Town Hall, mailed or submitted online at www.nutleynj.org/onlinepayments.
Please make all checks payable to the Nutley Water and Sewer Department and include your account number in the memo field.
- In Person: Cashier's Office is open Monday thru Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm.
- Drop Box: Payments may be dropped in the payment box in the side entrance (Oval / football field side) of Town Hall after hours. Please remember, it is never a good idea to leave cash in the drop box. The Township of Nutley is not responsible for cash payments deposited into the drop box.
- Online: Visit Online Payments to learn more about paying your bills online.
- Mail: Please submit payment and stub and mail to:
Nutley Water and Sewer Department
1 Kennedy Drive
Nutley, New Jersey 07110
You can pay your bill online by visiting our website at www.nutleynj.org/onlinepayments and following the instructions for online payments.
Yes, you can set up automatic payments through our online billing system at www.nutleynj.org/onlinepayments. Follow the instructions to create an account and select the option for automatic payments.
You can view your current bill as well as a recent billing and payment history by visit our Online Payments page.
Yes, we offer the option to have your water/sewer bill sent to your email. Please visit www.nutleynj.org/ebill to sign up.
If you believe your bill is incorrect, please contact our office immediately at (973) 284-4962 or waterbilling@nutleynj.org. We will review your account and investigate any discrepancies.
If your bill is higher than expected:
- Check the days of service – is this for a longer billing period than the bills to which you are comparing?
- Check your usage – did your usage increase?
- If so, did you do anything differently during this time period? Were there additional persons staying at the property?
- Did you have a leak?
If your usage has increased, the Nutley Water Department encourages you to review the information located here and follow the below step-by-step instructions to check for leaks.
If you have reviewed the information and still have questions or concerns about your bill, please contact the Water Billing office at (973) 284-4962 or waterbilling@nutleynj.org. Office hours are 8:00am through 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Water meters are read quarterly or monthly, in alignment with your billing cycle.
Final meter readings are required if you are selling your home or if a tenant is moving out. Please contact our office at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a final water meter reading.
Appointments are scheduled between 7:30am-8:00am or 12:30pm-1:00pm weekdays. The meter reader must gain access to physically read the water meter and someone 18 years or older must be home. Requests may also be emailed or submitted online
The account will be changed to the new owner's or tenant's name on the closing date.
Yes, credits are available for property owners who use significant amounts of water for swimming pools and irrigation systems, as this water may not enter the sewer system. The sewer credit will only be applied to the sewer portion of your utility bill.
Sewer credits are as follows:
- 5% Swimming Pool Credit: For qualifying water usage during one quarter billing period.
- 10% Irrigation System Credit: For qualifying water usage during two-quarter billing periods.
Note: Applicants must document that water usage does not drain into the sanitary sewer system.
To apply for credits, fill out the sewer credit application form available on the Township website: www.nutleynj.org/watersewer and submit to the: Township of Nutley-Water and Sewer Utility, 1 Kennedy Drive, Nutley New Jersey 07110.
- A copy of the Building Department Permit or Permit No. for the installation of the swimming pool or irrigation system.
- A diagram of the irrigation system area on the property.
- Pictures of the swimming pool and/or irrigation system.
- A copy of the receipt from a licensed irrigation company for annual maintenance.
Yes, a permit is required to install an irrigation system or a swimming pool in the Township of Nutley to ensure that they are built safely, legally, and in compliance with local regulations, protecting both the homeowner and the community.
REASONS FOR REQUIRING A PERMIT UNDER THE NEW JERSEY UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE AND SUBCODES:
- SAFETY: Ensures the pool is built safely with proper fencing, barriers, and alarms to prevent accidents.
- COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING CODES: Ensures pools meet local structural and safety standards, including proper electrical wiring and plumbing.
- ZONING LAWS: Ensures compliance with local zoning laws regarding pool placement and neighborhood aesthetics.
- ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: Proper installation and management of pools and irrigation systems help mitigate environmental impacts. This includes preventing soil erosion during construction, managing water runoff to prevent pollution of water bodies, and ensuring that chemicals used in pools do not harm local ecosystems. Additionally, it prevents potable water contamination by ensuring chemicals and contaminants do not flow back into the household or public drinking water supply.
Yes, a backflow preventer is required to prevent the potential contamination of the potable water supply.
PRIMARY REASONS:
- PREVENT CONTAMINANTS: Ensures pool chemicals and contaminants do not flow back into the household or public drinking water supply.
- AVOID CROSS-CONNECTION: Prevents backflow due to changes in water pressure, such as during a municipal water supply drop.
- COMPLIANCE: Required by local plumbing codes and health regulations for public safety.
If your swimming pool or irrigation system was installed without a permit, please contact the Township of Nutley Code Enforcement Department or visit www.nutleynj.org/code-enforcement.
For more information, visit the Township website at www.nutleynj.org/watersewer or contact the Nutley Water and Sewer Department at 973-284-4958 or email WaterSewer@nutleynj.org.
