A company that provides water service to many communities in South Jersey has received permission to increase its water rates. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has granted approvals to the New Jersey American Water Company to increase its rates by 6.5 percent. The average customer will see water bills increase by a few dollars each month as a result of the increase. The company will generate an extra $40 million as a result of the rate increase; that money will finance various infrastructure improvements.