Water company violating rules, commission says

The Hudson Valley Water Co. has been found to be in violation of nine state regulations and the terms of permits for the five Ulster County water systems its operates.

The state Public Service Commission’s findings were included in a report released Oct. 2. The commission made 49 recommendations for corrective action and is requiring the company to ask its 450 customers if they want the systems to be taken over and become municipal water districts.

The commission said its staff’s investigation “found that the company is not utilizing best practices in many areas.”

The commission’s report says Hudson Valley Water did not properly conduct water quality testing, did not properly report water quality violations, wrote customer bills poorly, did not maintain detailed records of customer complaints, did not install meter that can be read remotely, threatened shutoffs and service interruptions, planned system line repairs poorly, committed Ulster County Department of Health violations, did not properly inform customers about service interruptions, and did not work with customers using professionalism and appropriate behavior.

Hudson Valley Water Co. operates:

* The Mount Marion water system in Saugerties, which has 230 customers, including Mount Marion Elementary School, and a fire-protection system consisting of eight hydrants.

* The High Falls water system in Rosendale and Marbletown, with 102 customers.

* The Pine Street water system in Hurley, which has 16 customers.

* The West Hurley water system, also in Hurley, which has 74 customers.

* The Boiceville water system in Olive, which has 28 customers.

Over the past three years, customers served by Hudson Valley Water have approached municipal officials with complaints about the company, including being subject to threatening tones when asking about shut