Spring soaking

From the Daily News:

Spring has sprung and it’s time for New York City homeowners to get soaked again on their water rates.

Mayor de Blasio, who was critical of his predecessor Michael Bloomberg for routinely hiking water rates, Friday announced a plan to raise water rates by 3.24%.

Although it’s the lowest rate hike in 10 years, critics say it’s still unfair because homeowners have been hit with so many increases in recent years. The average homeowner will pay $1,058 if the plan goes through, up from $499 a decade ago.

New rates will go into effect on July 1.

Another raise in water rates

From the Daily News:

The Department of Environmental Protection proposed a 3.35% water rate increase on Wednesday for fiscal year 2015, the lowest raise since fiscal 2006.

That means a typical single-family homeowner will see an increase from $992 a year to $1,025 a year for their water and sewer bills, and a typical multi-family home with metered billing will see a bump from $645 a year to $666 per year in their bills.

The Water Board is expected to approve the increase May 23, and hearings will be held in each borough in May. The changes are due to take effect this summer.

Water bills have shot up 78% since 2005. They went up 5.6% last year and 7% the year before that, after double-digit spikes from 2008 through 2010 during the Bloomberg administration.

We'll be paying more for water soon

From Bayside-Douglaston Patch:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration is planning a 5.6 percent increase in the city’s water rate on July 1, one that the administration boasts is relatively small - the lowest rate hike in nearly a decade, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"We're continuing our aggressive efforts to keep the water rate as low as possible," said Chris Gilbride, a spokesman for the Department of Environmental Protection.

However, each year since the mayor has taken office, the water rate has increased, including four consecutive double-digit boosts beginning in fiscal year 2008, compared to the three previous administrations that kept the water rate flat for at least one year during their time in office.

With the latest proposed hike, the average bill for a typical single-family homeowner would increase from $939 a year to $991 a year. The cost for a typical multifamily building with metered billing would increase from to $610 per unit to $644.

Water board hosing taxpayers again

From the Daily News:

City environmental honchos want to water-board New Yorkers yet again, saying they will propose Friday a 7% hike to water rates that have skyrocketed 78% since 2005.

The city downplayed the proposed soaking by describing it as not as bad as in recent fiscal years — and well under the 9.3% bump the Department of Environmental Protection projected just a year ago.

“This is the lowest water rate increase in seven years,” DEP spokesman Farrell Sklerov said.

“While we know that it is extremely difficult for our customers to have to pay any more, the downward trend clearly shows that our aggressive efforts to keep rates in check are paying off.”

This fiscal year’s rate was already 7.5% above that of last year, which itself was 12.9% more than the previous year.

But some city residents were fed up over word the city was going into their pockets again — and the Daily News was barred by a city agreement from even specifying what the rise would be until Friday.

“It’s getting ridiculous,” said Bill Clemente, 71, who owns a home in Howard Beach, Queens.

“You won’t be able to have swimming pools. You won’t be able to water your lawn. You won’t be able to shower as often.”

He even said a worst-case scenario could be in play for him: “Ultimately, we may have to sell the house and move out of the city.”

Bloomberg outsources water tax collection

Hi Everyone:

While going over some corporate bills I noticed that payments to the NYC Water Board and NYC DEP are being sent to Pittsburgh, PA. for processing. I'm sure everyone is pleased that Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York are contributing to economic development and job creation in Pittsburgh.

For your convenience a redacted copy of the payment notice is attached.

Sincerely,
Warren Schreiber

Something to save taxpayers money?

From the NY Post:

Relief is on the way for homeowners hosed for years with double-digit increases in their water bills.

The city Department of Environmental Protection today will introduce a four-year efficiency plan expected to slash future hikes, The Post has learned.

The DEP paid the environmental consulting firm Veolia Water to figure out ways to hack $100 million to $200 million off its roughly $1.2 billion operation.

Fully implemented, the plan would lower the rate of regular water-bill increases by 3 to 6 percent annually.

The water bill for a single-family home currently averages $877. The projected reduction would reduce future hikes and save customers $27 to $54 annually, sources said.

Bloomberg policies hurt the elderly

From the Times Ledger:

I am 95 years old, have lived through two world wars and economic catastrophes, outlived most of my children and am a widow on a fixed income.

I ask why it is necessary for a billionaire like Mayor Michael Bloomberg to raise every cost in the city. Since Bloomberg took office, my house tax has doubled, my water bill has doubled, my sales tax has gone up and my transportation costs have gone up. I understand tickets have doubled and the police do not take reports anymore of vandalism or break-ins.

Bloomberg does not really know anything about real suffering — otherwise, he would not be so arrogant. I have less to survive on while he has more money than ever. The city does not really do anything better than before, and the response to the Christmas blizzard shows the city does less. There is no more bang for the buck — just a fizzle.

I believe we ought to know as much as possible about a public figure. A public figure makes decisions which affect us all.

I am not pleased with our mayor for the reasons listed. I think he is out of touch.

E. Simanovich
Richmond Hill

Getting soaked again

From the NY Times:

New Yorkers will pay nearly 13 percent more for each drop of water they use starting July 1 if an increase proposed Friday by the Department of Environmental Protection is approved.

The rate increase would cost the typical single-family homeowner an extra $93 a year (a total of $816, up from $723) and increase the annual bill for the average apartment by about $43 (to $513, up from $470), the agency said.

The agency noted that the 12.9 percent proposed increase is a bit less than the 14.3 percent rise it had forecast last year. The agency said that it had mitigated the need for an increase by cutting its budget eight percent and cutting its debt service by $181 million, thanks to favorable interest rates. On the other side of the ledger, water use in the city declined by five percent last year, which, while a wonderful thing from a conservation standpoint, caused a revenue shortfall of $110 million.

You're damned if you do and damned if you don't

From the Daily News:

CONSERVING WATER is typically a good thing - except when you're penalized for your frugality.

Elected officials are urging people to speak out against the Water Board's potential double-digit water rate hike at a public hearing in St. Albans on Feb. 16.

The rate hike is needed, officials have said, because people are using less water, which means less revenue.

The [DEP] is holding public hearings in each borough to discuss water rates, which could climb as much as 14.3%, according to documents obtained by the Daily News. That's on top of the 12.9% increase in 2009 and 14.5% hike in 2008.

The Queens meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Majority Baptist Church, 115-21 Farmers Blvd. in St. Albans.

Water board reconsidering rates

From the NY Post:

A consultant is recommending that the city study new rate structures for the water system -- one of which could leave homeowners soaked.

After conducting a review of how cities around the country charge for water, Booz Allen Hamilton developed four alternatives to the city's current billing system, which is based strictly on the number of gallons used.

One of the options includes a revised storm-water charge that would boost bills for those with more property.

Parking lots also would for the first time have to pay sewer charges under that proposal.

The Water Board is expected to take up the proposals next year.

Photo from TreeHugger

Single mom getting hosed by DEP

From NY1:

When Amhalise Morgan does the dishes these days, all she sees is money going down the drain.

"I owe a total of $9,000," says Morgan.

Morgan, a single mother who owns a two-family home in Brooklyn, lives with her two children and two tenants. Her average water bill used to be roughly $200, until March 2008 when it suddenly spiked from $205 dollars to $3,348.

"They said, 'You know, that there must be a problem,' that I must have a leak, which I didn't," says Morgan. "I must have more people in my house, which I didn't. I had one person actually move out."

NY1 contacted DEP to try and get an explanation for the spike in Morgan's bills. When the station asked if Morgan's meter might be broken, a DEP spokeswoman said the agency doesn't believe it's a meter issue. They are not willing to send an inspector out to check Morgan's meter because the last time they did it was accurate and working, according to the spokeswoman.

The DEP representative went on to say that a substantial leak at Morgan's residence caused the enormous spike in her bills and the agency believes its subsequent repair explains the return to normal readings.

However, Morgan says she never had any leaks identified or repaired.

Conserve water and you'll still get screwed

From the Staten Island Advance:

The agency that supplies your water and sends you the bill urges conservation and offers all kinds of tips for using less.

Follow the suggestions and a maddening thing happened: Your water bill goes up.

In May, the New York City Water Board backed the DEP's proposal and hit city residents with a 12.9 percent water increase set to begin July 1.

One of the primary reasons for the size of the increase is a reduction in water usage.

So the message is: The more you save, the more we will have to charge you.

We've been waterboarded again...

From the Daily News:

New Yorkers will get soaked with a 12.9% jump in their water rates and tough new penalties for broken water meters, a city board ordered Friday morning.

The rate hike takes effect July 1, making it the third double-digit rate hike in a row - and creating an issue that could rile middle-class homeowners in the months before the fall elections.

"Enough is enough," City Council Finance Committee Chairman David Weprin (D-Queens) told the Water Board, saying the city needs to do more to cut costs. "These water rate hikes have amounted to nothing more than a backdoor property tax increase."

Water boarders continue the torture

From the Daily News:

Queens residents already wallowing in exorbitant water bills are expected to sound off about an additional 14% increase at a hearing in Elmhurst on Monday.

The proposed hike comes on top of double-digit increases in water rates in the last two years - and local merchants say it could lead to them going under.

Critics of the Water Board, including city Controller William Thompson, said the $200 million in water revenue is diverted to fund other city services.

Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Steve Lawitts told the Water Board this month that revenues were 5% lower than expected.

Starting July 1, the rates for the average single-family home would increase from $799 to $911 a year. Condominium and co-op rates would jump from $680 to $775.

The Queens hearing on the proposed increase is set for 10a.m. Monday at the Department of Environmental Protection, 59-17 Junction Blvd., near the Queens Center Mall.

Conflict of interest for water board member

From the NY Post:

One of the newest members of the city's Water Board is going to have a hard time rejecting the administration's request for a 14 percent hike in water and sewer rates next month, because Mayor Bloomberg is appearing at a fund-raiser for the nonprofit she heads just two weeks later.

The vote on what would be the third double-digit increase in water fees in as many years is scheduled for May 15.

Just 13 days later, Bloomberg is supposed to attend the annual fund-raising bash of the New York League of Conservation Voters at Chelsea Piers.

The executive director of the league is Marcia Bystryn, who was named to the seven-member Water Board on Dec. 17.

Water Board ready to screw us again

From the Queens Gazette:

City Comptroller William Thompson, on the attack again against the Bloomberg administration's water rate increases, has proposed using federal stimulus funds to head off another water hike.

Thompson, who plans to challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg in this year's mayoral election, said he will propose the stimulus funds solution on Friday when the Water Board meets to consider raising water rates again. He will be joined by City Councilmember David Weprin, who will also be pressing efforts to avert another rate hike.

Last year the board approved a 14.5 percent rate increase.