We urge all community members in Manalapan to engage with an important ballot measure that could significantly impact the water system. The future of this water supply is at stake, and your voice is crucial.
In Manalapan, there has been painted a false choice:
1) Voting to privatize part of its water system permanently, not just on a contractual basis, or
2) costs being raised significantly for all residents.
Alternatively, voting against the measure, forcing a restart offers the opportunity to begin again, looking to other, more creative alternatives. Review our recap from the initial community meeting here, where our Public Policy & Justice Organizer raised the idea of partnering with local public systems, resulting in a positive response from the Township Committee and residents in attendance.
If Manalapan residents vote to privatize, they will lose the ability to control their water system indefinitely. A majority NO vote would offer the chance to explore partnerships with nearby public water providers rather than hand our resources over to a corporation known for overcharging and inadequate service.
Manalapan entered into the initial operations contract years ago with United Water/Suez – not Veolia. Veolia bought Suez/United Water in 2021. Selling to private ownership outright for a bargain price means all control of the system is lost by the public– permanently. If Manalapan Township sells, Manalapan cannot exit the deal for poor performance. Manalapan residents will be stuck. Privatizations often lead to higher costs for residents and a loss of community control. It is important to understand that before acquiring Suez/United Water, Veolia owned no water or sewer systems in the United States – it only operated publicly owned systems under contract.
76% of the town’s residents are serviced by Gordons Corner Water Company. The Gordons Corner Water Company, currently family owned and operated, is looking to exit the water business. This presents a critical juncture: without strong community opposition, the community risks Veolia, a company with a troubled track record in water management, taking over the entire water system.
Veolia’s Troubling History
It’s essential to recognize Veolia’s problematic past, including preying upon small communities like Manalapan that lack a buffer of legal, regulatory and otherwise scrutiny. Earlier this year, the company settled a lawsuit for $25 million related to its role in the Flint water crisis, and it’s currently embroiled in legal battles over lead poisoning affecting children. Additionally, towns across the U.S. have had to sever ties with Veolia due to poor service and operational failures. Public management can offer stability and accountability. Privatized systems can charge residents an average of 59% more than their public counterparts.
Water is sacred; it’s not just a resource, but a fundamental human right. Over the years, numerous New Jersey towns regretted selling their water systems to private companies, and this is a national trend.
Research from Water Policy, the journal of the international think tank World Water Council, surveyed the 500 largest water systems in the USA, finding private ownership was “the most significant variable in driving up utility bills even more than aging infrastructure, water supply and local regulations.”
Alternatives to Consider
There are numerous public partnerships that may be pursued, starting with engaging nearby municipalities like Freehold Township or Monroe Township to explore collaborative options for our water management. The New Jersey Association of Environmental Authorities (AEA) has resources to help facilitate these discussions.
TAKE ACTION:
Attend Community Meetings & Make Calls to Residents
We encourage everyone to attend upcoming community meetings to ask questions and voice your concerns. These sessions are a critical opportunity for us to educate ourselves on the implications of this ballot measure and explore viable alternatives to privatization. Join us by signing up to make calls to residents, thanks to help from our partner, Food & Water Watch NJ.
Additional Water Sale Information Sessions:
- October 8th: Four Seasons
- October 15th: Covered Bridge
- October 22nd: Gordons Corner Fire Company
- October 30th: Special session for Manalapan Seniors
Help us make calls to Manalapan residents so they learn more about this ballot measure from those other than Veolia representatives.
This is our moment to protect our water rights and ensure that our community retains control over this vital resource. Don’t let Veolia's moneyed interests and token gifts (rubber ducky, pine seedlings, notebooks, donuts, coffee) overshadow our need for safe, reliable, and equitable water access. Your participation in this process is essential. Please make your voice heard, attend the community meetings, and help us seek a future where our water remains a public trust. Want to help? Connect with us HERE!
Let us educate our friends, family and neighbors together for our water, our community, and our future!