By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The public hearing on the pending sale of the Lawrenceville Water Co. to Aqua New Jersey Inc. was over almost as soon as it began Monday afternoon, lasting about five minutes.
Officials from the two water companies and representatives of the state Board of Public Utilities gathered in the training room at the Lawrence Township Municipal Court and Police Building to wait for public comment.
But no one from the public turned out to comment.
The Lawrenceville Water Co., which serves 2,660 customers in the village of Lawrenceville and the surrounding neighborhoods, agreed last fall to be acquired by Aqua America Inc. — the parent company of Aqua New Jersey Inc. — pending BPU approval.
William Davis, president of Aqua New Jersey Inc., said there are no plans to increase the rates of the Lawrenceville Water Co. because the two companies’ rates are very close. A rate hike may occur in the future, however.
Lawrenceville Water Co. customers who use 6,500 gallons per month pay $33.11, while customers of Aqua New Jersey Inc. who use the same amount of water pay $36.67, Mr. Davis said.
Attorney Stephen Genzer, who represents the joint petitioners — the Lawrenceville Water Co., Aqua New Jersey Inc. and its parent company — said the next step is for the parties to meet. He added that he does not anticipate any “significant” issues to arise. The joint petitioners are seeking BPU approval for the sale.
Meanwhile, the Division of Rate Counsel in the Department of the Public Advocate will review the proposed sale. The Division of Rate Counsel has hired consultants to review the documents, Mr. Genzer said.
The Lawrenceville Water Co.’s board of directors decided to put the privately owned company on the market for sale and received several bids. The winning bid was cast by Aqua New Jersey Inc.
Aqua New Jersey Inc. serves more than 160,000 customers in 18 municipalities across the state, according to the company’s Web site, www.aquaamerica.com. Aqua New Jersey was created through the merger of several smaller water companies.
The Lawrenceville Water Co., which was created in 1923, serves a franchise territory that is bounded by Route 206 on the east, Federal City Road on the west, I-95 on the south and Cold Soil Road on the north.
It serves a few households outside of the territory, including the Long Acres development next to the Municipal Building, and the Kingsbrook, Huddler Farms and Woodlane Estates developments off Cold Soil Road.

