Are Water Rates Destined to Go Sky High?

The city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a projection that water rates could jump by 80 percent for single-family homes in the next decade. For multi-family units, including co-ops and condos, the rates might double, the Daily News reports. 

In the wake of the eye-popping projections, Public Advocate Letitia James has demanded an explanation from DEP. “We should not increase the burden on the millions of hardworking homeowners in New York City,” James told the Daily News. “The drastic water rate increase being proposed by DEP will be a blow to New Yorkers when it goes into effect. This is neither fair nor sound public policy and New Yorkers deserve immediate answers.”

The city agency has projected that the average water bill for a single-family home could grow from $1,055 in 2017 to $1,898 by 2027, and from $686 to $1,234 for multi-family unit, according to James’soffice. That's based on DEP spending projections, including $20 billion in capital plan spending over 10 years. Of course co-op and condo boards can lessen the sting of any rate hike by making sure that fixtures are efficient and leaks are promptly addressed. 

In a letter sent to DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, James formally requested under the city charter that DEP provide documents by April 25. “An extra $800-$900 per year for hardworking middle class families is a considerable additional burden for what we can all agree upon is a necessity,” James wrote. “Based upon this information, it would appear the City is presently maintaining lower rates, only to require enormous balloon payments that many may not be able to afford in the future,” she said. “This is neither fair nor sound public policy.” 

A DEP spokesman responded: “New York City's water averages a penny per gallon, which is below the national average. DEP and the Water Board continue to balance customer affordability with our state and federal regulators' capital investment mandates and the need to keep our robust water and wastewater systems in good repair.”