In January, Long Beach Township began using the new water meters installed throughout the municipality, and this month, homeowners will receive the year’s first quarter water and sewer bill. All bills will now be sent in a postcard format, with due dates similar to the past: March 1, June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1.

The first-quarter bill will include only the base rates for each utility. As the township explains in a letter going out to residents, “These rates represent a 10% increase of your water…