NYC Water Rates Expected to Increase in July

On March 27, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) formally recommended a water rate increase of 3.24 percent to the New York City Water Board. This marks the second consecutive annual increase since Mayor de Blasio took office, but the lowest one in a decade.

During Mayor Bloomberg’s 12-year tenure, the water rate rose 165 percent, increasing every year, including four consecutive double-digit boosts beginning in fiscal 2008. If the latest DEP recommendation is approved, Mayor de Blasio will have overseen a 6.7 percent increase, including last year’s 3.35 percent rise.

Multifamily owners will pay, on average, about $23 more per unit annually, from $666 to $689 based on an average annual water consumption of 52,000 gallons. DEP will also ask the Water Board to continue freezing the minimum charge for homeowners who use approximately 100 gallons or less per day; these customers are charged $1.27 per day, or $463.55 per year.

The Water Board is expected to formally adopt water rates for the city’s 2016 fiscal year on May 8. Until then the Water Board will hold public hearings concerning the proposed rates each day from April 27 to April 30. For times and locations of these public hearings, you can visit www.nyc.gov/html/nycwaterboard/html/public_notices/fy16_rate_public_hearings_notice.shtml.

All hearings are open to the public. Anyone may attend or register to speak at any borough hearing. Those who wish to testify at a hearing should contact the Board by email: nycwaterboard@dep.nyc.gov; telephone: (718) 595-3594; or mail: New York City Water Board, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 8th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373, to register no later than 5 p.m. on the day before the hearing. Oral testimony will be limited to five minutes’ duration. A copy of any prepared or written statement may be submitted for the Board’s consideration at the above email or mailing address by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2015. The new rates will take effect on July 1.