Water rate hike hearings set

Water hearings approaching

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The New York State Public Service Commission is set to hold the first in a series of evidentiary hearings on a proposal by New York American Water to raise water rates by nearly 10 percent a year. Those hearings, which are closed to the public, will begin Oct. 13.

A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 26, with a time and location to be determined.

Residents across the South Shore, particularly in Bellmore-Merrick, have spoken out against the rate hike, calling it exorbitant. American Water officials, however, say the increase is needed to fund infrastructure repairs and improvements, and they have submitted evidence to the PSC, they say, to justify the hike.

“Over the last four years, New York American Water has made significant improvements to replace aging infrastructure and improve water quality for our customers,” company President Brian Bruce said.

Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads, a Republican from Bellmore, is among the elected leaders who have expressed concern over the rate increase.

“The proposed increase in rates would generate [millions] in revenue for the private company, which already charges its customers substantially more for water than public water districts in surrounding communities,” Rhoads said.

Nearby East Meadow, for example, is served by a Town of Hempstead water district. Water bills there are reportedly half of what they are in next-door Bellmore-Merrick.

That, in part, explains why a group of local residents, led by Claudia Borecky, the North and Central Merrick Civic Association president, formed Long Island Clean Air Water and Soil to fight the rate hike.

“If we had pubic water, this wouldn’t even be an issue,” Borecky said. “A town or water district is subject to a state tax cap. A private company is not. We are requesting time to prepare our case on behalf of the ratepayers.”

New York American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water company in New York, providing water and wastewater services to about 350,000 people across the state. Nationwide, the company serves 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada.

New York American Water filed with the PSC for the rate increase in April to raise revenue by $8.49 million, while adding $150 million for infrastructure projects to improve water quality and service reliability, according to company officials.

“We are committed to making necessary investments in water service, while being prudent with our operational costs,” Bruce said. “Our customers’ water bills will continue to be among the lowest of their household utilities, even if the proposed rates go into effect.”

According to American Water officials, proposed infrastructure projects are driving the rate increase, including:

Completion of two iron-removal treatment facilities in Roosevelt and Lakeview.