Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti urged state regulators to reject Liberty New York Water’s proposed rate increases, arguing that the hikes would place an unfair burden on Long Island residents already struggling with rising costs.
Standing outside Liberty Utilities headquarters in Merrick on June 12, Ferretti criticized the company’s request to increase revenues by about 21.87 percent in Service Area 1 and 30.14 percent in Service Area 2, according to filings with the New York State Public Service Commission.
Service Area 1 includes communities such as parts of the Five Towns, Baldwin, Oceanside, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Malverne and Island Park. Service Area 2 encompasses the Merrick and Sea Cliff districts, with the Merrick district serving Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Seaford.
The utility said the proposed increase for an average residential customer using 8,000 gallons of water per month would be $27.77 in the Lynbrook system, $26.89 in the Sea Cliff system and $21.20, a roughly 37 percent increase, in the Merrick system.
The proposed rate increases remain subject to review and approval by the commission, which will hold public hearings and accept public comment before making a final decision. Although Liberty requested an initial effective date of July 3, 2026, the company expects the Public Service Commission to suspend the proposal during its review. If approved, the new rates would be expected to take effect May 1, 2027.
“At a time when families are already paying more for groceries, housing, energy and virtually every other necessity, Liberty Utilities wants to reach even deeper into the pockets of hardworking residents,” Ferretti said. “These proposed increases are staggering, and I am deeply concerned about the impact they will have on seniors living on fixed incomes, hardworking families and small business owners throughout our community.”
For East Rockaway resident Rachel Tiran, who receives her water service from Liberty, the proposal comes as customers are already adjusting to other recent changes in their bills.
“The water company recently switched us to peak-hour pricing,” Tiran said. “Peak time doesn’t end until 7 p.m., so now I find myself thinking about the time before I run the dishwasher or do a load of laundry. It’s just one more thing to worry about.”
Tiran said she, like many customers, would not welcome another increase in water costs.
“I don’t think anyone is excited about paying more,” she said. “If it meant better service or helping people who really needed it, I’d understand. But if it’s just for the company’s benefit, I’m not in favor of it.”
“Long Island families are being squeezed from every direction by inflation and rising utility costs, and now Liberty Utilities wants to pile on even more,” Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder said. “The proposed rate hikes are excessive and tone-deaf to the financial realities facing our residents. I fully support Supervisor Ferretti’s efforts to fight this proposal and ensure that ratepayers are not treated like an endless source of revenue.”
Liberty said the rate request would support projects including iron-removal treatment, treatment for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including perfluorooctanoic acid, a type of PFAS commonly known as a “forever chemical,” lead service line replacement and water main replacements. The company also proposed expanding its arrearage management program and eliminating electronic payment transaction fees.
The utility said the filing also reflects customer benefits associated with PFAS/PFOA settlement proceeds and property tax savings achieved through negotiations and tax appeal efforts.
Ferretti said he supports investments in water infrastructure and quality improvements but questioned the size of the proposed increases.
“No one disputes the need for infrastructure improvements and water quality investments,” he said. “However, residents deserve transparency, accountability and respect for the ratepayers who are coping with increased costs and other threats to affordability.”
The supervisor urged the Public Service Commission to reject the proposal, arguing that utilities should be mindful of affordability concerns as local governments seek to control taxes and spending.
Liberty officials said the requested rates would help maintain safe and reliable water service while funding infrastructure improvements and customer assistance programs.
“We understand the importance of balancing system safety and reliability with customer affordability,” Deborah Franco, president of Liberty New York Water, said in a statement. “Our proposed investments represent what is necessary to maintain and improve our system, and we remain committed to managing expenses responsibly while continuing to provide safe, reliable service.”
The Public Service Commission has scheduled a virtual public hearing on Liberty’s proposal for July 15. According to the company’s filing, the proposal would increase the average residential monthly bill by about 28.3 percent in the Lynbrook District, 36.99 percent in the Merrick District and 29.71 percent in the Sea Cliff District if approved.
