Edison Votes To Keep Water System Public

EDISON, NJ — Edison voters overwhelmingly voted to keep Edison's water system public in a special election on Tuesday.

Over 8,500 residents voted to keep the system public, and to bar any privatization of the water system, including the involvement of Suez. About 1,600 residents voted to allow for privatization.

The election brings an end to the nearly-yearlong controversy over the future of the Edison sewer and water system. First announced in February by Mayor Tom Lankey, the original proposal was deeply unpopular in Edison. Nearly 5,000 residents signed a petition this spring calling for Edison to retain public control over its water and sewer systems; after Edison did not move to retain control, the petition triggered yesterday's special election.

"My Administration will follow the direction that our voters have charted for Edison’s future. We have already begun making preparations for a new municipal department to operate and maintain the South Edison water system," Mayor Thomas Lankey said. A spokesperson for the town said that a department to manage the township's sewage system already exists.

Despite canvassing the town with signs, door-knocking, and intense social media campaigns from both sides, voter turnout was low. Just 17 percent of registered voters cast a ballot.

Modifications to the Suez deal were announced last week, in attempt to persuade voters. Under a modified agreement, announced just one week before the election, Suez would have been contracted to run the Edison Township water system for 25 years, down from an original term of 40 years. A provision that would allow Suez and KKR (known jointly as Edison Environmental Partners) to recover its equity upon the partnership's default was to eliminated under the new proposal.