How Much Does Your Morning Shower Cost? Soon, Probably More

You may want to begin thinking how to save time in the shower—combined shampoo and conditioner?—plant a garden of cacti or buy your next car in a dark color, because regardless of whether you live in Hastings, Dobbs Ferry or Irvington, water rates are on the rise.

Irvington

The New York City Water Board has approved a new fee structure for all upstate municipalities that use water from their three aqueducts. One such village is Irvington, meaning that Irvington's water rates will likely increase in the coming months. 

Irvington's water is procured from New York City Water's Catskill  aqueduct, running into a pump station in Greenburgh. Irvington and Greenburgh each paid  half the expendses for the pump station, which opened in 2004.  Though Irvington pays Greenburgh directly, prices are determined by The New York City Water Board.

The new water rate schedule went into effect on July 1, 2010. According to the new rates, water supplied to users outside New York City from either the Croton or  Catskill/Delaware systems is $1,149.72 per million gallons which is up from $922.24 per million gallons – a 24.66 percent increase. 

"Although I can't give exact numbers on how much more individuals will have to pay, I can say that you can't have an 24 percent rate increase without it's taking a toll on residents," Lawrence Schopfer, Irvington's village administrator, said. 

Also on the rise is the amount for "overages." Each municipality is allowed a set amount of water which is based on the population within the village limits multiplied by the average water usage of those living in the city. 

"It changes from month to month, the entitlement is based on the municipality's population, times whatever the in-city consumption per-capita is for a particular month, so the city per-capita changes every month," said Kevin Kunkle with the New York City Water Board.

If a municipality exceeds its allotted amount, the charge for water is measured by meter at $2.95 per one hundred cubic feet provided, which is approximately seven hundred forty-eight gallons. That rate is equal to about $3,944 per million gallons.

"For the amounts above the entitlement, sometimes referred to as excess consumption, that rate increase is 12.9 percent," Kunkle said. 

In a work session last week, Schopfer first presented the increased water rates to Mayor Jonathan Siegel and the Board of Trustees after receiving a shockingly high bill from Greenburgh. The mayor and board still must decide how to act.

Hastings and Dobbs Ferry

For residents of Dobbs Ferry and Hastings, water fees—and village taxes—may also see a spike for different reasons.  These two villages--in addition to New Rochelle, Eastchester, Bronxville, Pelham, Tuchahoe, Pelham Manor and Ardsley—all purchase water from United Water of New Rochelle.  United Water also is calling for increased rates.

"We completely disagree with the water company's proposed increases and intend to fight it," Marcus Serrano, Dobbs Ferry's village administrator, said.

And in addition to increased rates, United Water is calling to triple the hydrant fees they charge the villages.

"The hydrant fee increase alone could drive up village taxes four or five percent," Serrano said.

Hastings, Dobbs Ferry and the other seven municipalities that purchase water from United Water of New Rochelle have hired a lawyer, David Wise, to represent their case before New York's Public Service Commission. 

'The commission is like a court that acts to determine whether the new rates are fair," Wise said. He's optimistic the commission will rule in the villages' favor, saying he believes their cause is just.

"We wouldn't be contesting the increases if we didn't think there was a good chance we'd win," Wise said.

There will be a public hearing in New Rochelle Aug.2 in which village officials will state their frustration over rate and fee increases before the Public Service Commission.

In Hastings and Dobbs Ferry, administrators and officials have their fingers crossed that the commission will rule in their favor, making the toll on residents' significantly less painful.

"We believe the water company is taking advantage of us," Serrano said. "They're double dipping, if you ask me. We already pay a hydrant fee in our taxes, and now they're imposing another one on top of that. It's just not right."