The Mount Holly news., 1919-04-22
Increase in Water Rentals.

The Public Utilities Commission OF
New Jersey rendered a decision, last
week, on the application of the Mount
Holly Water Company to increase its
rentals. A lengthy resume of the af.
fairs of the company is given, the en-
tire report covering II typewriter
pages.
The basis of the fiXation of the rates
in this proceeding is total valuation
OF Sl39, 934 for the plant and all assets
of the company, as determined by the
commission from the evidence sub
mitted.
The company is permitted to in
crease its rates to an amount approxi-
mately 25 per cent, which at one time
had been agreed to between it and the
representatives of the consumers and
afterward repudiated.
The new fiat rates for domestic and
commercial uses are as follows:
Kitchen tap, where there are no
other taps, $S, which is an increase of
81. Kitchen tap, with other fixtures,
$3.50, an increase of 80 cents.
Bath, IS, an increase of 50 cents.
Each additional bath, $780, an in
crease of 25 cents.
Water closet flush, $4, an increase of
60 cents. Each additional water closet
flush 81, an increase, of 30 cents.
Wash basin, $l.25, an increase of 25
cents. Wash tub, $1.25, an increase of
25 cents.
Stable tap, one horse and one car
riage or one automobile, Sc, an in
crease of so cents. Additional horses
and carriages or automobiles, 81 each,
same as heretofore.
Urinal, 81, an increase of S1.25.
Street or garden tap, S. plus 10 per
cent. per 100 square feet which may be
sprinkled.
Barber shop, one chair, SIS, decrease
of so cents. Each additional chair,
81 25, an increase Of Is cents.
There appears to be a decrease in
the rates for metered service. For the
first rs, 900 gallons used in a quarter,
20 cents per thousand gals; for the ex-
cess over 1000 gals. up to $50, 900 gals.
per quarter, 17t cents per thousand gall
Ions; for all excess over $50, 900 gals. Is
cents.
A fixed charge of S4 per year and up
ward is allowed to be charged for me-
ters, depending upon the size of the
meter.
The present rate for meters, as given
on the company's statements is as fol-
lows: When the daily consumption is
100 to 1000 gals, 25 cents per 1000
gals daily consumption of 1000 to
1000 gals, 20 cents per 200 gals.
A considerable increase is allowed for
service for fire hydrants and flushing
sewers, about double the present rates.
The new price for flushing sewers is
$789 per annum.
The charge allowed for fire service is
81, 215, based upon fixed charge per
hydrant, according to size, plus
cost per foot of mains laid to supply
same.
The board assumes, during the
present high operating costs, that per
cent. will be an adequate return on
capital, that per cent. will provide
for depreciation, and 1.6 per cent. will
provide for taxes other than franchise
taxes, total of s. per cent. A small
percentage will be allowed to take care
of the franchise tax. The amount
necessary to support these charges with
respect to capital is S12,034. The total
operating expenses are figured at
IS, $50.
The new rates become effective when
the company files with the commission
a schedule made in compliance with
the decision rendered by the commits
sion. 4
The water company is cautioned TO
exercise care in serving water free from
pollution, and also makes reference to
a complaint received that a few fire
hydrants are set too low to be effective
for quick fire service.