Residents protest proposed water rate hike

Demonstration comes ahead of public hearings

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Residents from around Nassau County gathered outside New York American Water’s new headquarters in Merrick on Sunday, where they chanted, “Stop the increase, go public water!”

Led by Long Island Clean Air, Water, and Soil co-directors Claudia Borecky and Dave Denenberg, several dozen protesters brandished signs making clear their anger at a proposed 9.9 percent rate hike, which NYAW officials claim is necessary in order for the company to continue making infrastructure improvements.

“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 in a statement.

In addition, NYAW has built two iron-removal facilities, in Roosevelt and Lakeview. Another iron-removal plant is currently being built off Cornwell Avenue in Malverne.

Residents who oppose the rate increase, such as Fred Chandler, 66, of North Bellmore, say there has been a lack of transparency when it comes to the where their money is going. Saying he was appalled when he saw the company’s new headquarters under construction, Chandler told the Herald, “I just looked at it and went, ‘What could they possibly be building in there?’”

Borecky and Denenberg agreed with Chandler’s take on how NYAW appears to be spending customers’ money. “It wasn’t until the rate hike proposal that I looked into it and saw how much of what we were paying goes toward their property,” Borecky said, referring to the 30 percent of her water bill that funds NYAW’s new building.

Protesters argued that such a large rate increase would be more understandable if their water were of higher quality. Tova Plaut, a resident of Cedarhurst and a supporter of LICAWS, told the small crowd about being repelled by a brackish, rust-colored stream coming from her faucet.

Others charged that American Water, NYAW’s parent company, whose services extend across the nation, was following a pattern. Volunteer firefighter and paramedic Michael Reid noted the rate hikes by Kentucky American Water for residents of Lexington, Ky. Residents of 11 central Kentucky counties have seen five rate hikes since 2007, according to Reid.

A public hearing on the matter was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, after the Herald went to press, at Malverne Village Hall. A second hearing was to follow on Wednesday evening at the Wantagh High School auditorium.