“We’re still getting soaked by these rates,” Denenberg said. “… We don’t want a private monopoly over a public necessity.”

Detractors of a public takeover have argued for years that school districts will look to homeowners to supply tax revenue the districts would no longer receive from NYAW. Even though he said Sansoucy’s study is not finalized, Ronan made the point in his Herald interview.

“If somebody took [NYAW] over and didn’t pay taxes, yeah, they could charge a little less for water, but you got to pay for school taxes. I mean, somebody’s got to pay to educate our kids,” Ronan said.

Denenberg has repeatedly said he believes NYAW’s current customers would still be better off without the company.

“If you’re paying $5 more in school taxes, but saving $150 a year in your water bill, it’s worth it,” he said at the WASNEC’s last meeting.