Tish rages at water torture
PUBLIC ADVOCATE Letitia James wants an explanation from the Department of Environmental Protection about its projections that water rates could swell 80% by 2027.
The city agency has projected that the average water bill for a single-family home could grow from $1,055 in 2017 to $1,898 by 2027, and from $686 to $1,234 for multi-family unit, according to James’ office. That’s based on DEP spending projections, including $20 billion in capital plan spending over 10 years.
“We should not increase the burden on the millions of hardworking homeowners in New York City,” James told the Daily News. “The drastic water rate increase being proposed by DEP will be a blow to New Yorkers when it goes into effect. This is neither fair nor sound public policy, and New Yorkers deserve immediate answers.”
In a letter sent to DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, she said her office has been unable to get further clarity on the projections after a Feb. 28 city Audit Committee meeting — and formally requested under the City Charter that DEP provide documents on it by April 25.
“An extra $800-$900 per year for hardworking middle class families is a considerable additional burden for what we can all agree upon is a necessity,” James wrote.
And she questioned whether the agency was failing to properly plan for a pricey future.
“Based upon this information, it would appear the city is presently maintaining lower rates, only to require enormous balloon payments that many may not be able to afford in the future,” she said.
But the DEP said it expected cost-saving efforts to mean rate increases will compound and could be much lower than the 2027 estimates.
“We’ve had many discussions with the public advocate’s office regarding water rates and will continue to share all requested information,” a DEP spokesman said, adding that “the Water Board has been able to avoid burdening ratepayers with substantial increases” in recent years.
“New York City’s water averages a penny per gallon, which is below the national average. DEP and the board continue to balance customer affordability with our state and federal regulators’ capital investment mandates and the need to keep our robust water and wastewater systems in good repair,” the rep said.