Views from the Northwest Bronx

As expected, the New York City Water Board approved a 3.35% water and sewer rate increase to take effect on July 1, 2014. The Board was approved unanimously.

From UNHP Executive Director, Jim Buckley: I went in person to deliver UNHP's testimony last week. While acknowledging that 3.35% was the lowest proposed increase in the past 9 years, we reminded them that rates have doubled in the past nine years; we also reminded them that $666, DEP's average per apartment charge for metered water use in apartment buildings, is well below the number we are seeing in our multi-family buildings in the Bronx. The water use in 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom units in our affordable housing projects regularly exceeds their average, with many of our buildings using the Multi-family Conservation Program (MCP), which will provide a cap of $976 per apartment per year.

​The City's proposal for 3.35% water and sewer rate increase will be the subject of the New York Water Board's public hearings over the next 10 days. We are urging you to make a comment, either in person or by email, to the Water Board, and copy the Mayor and your City Council person.

The New York City Water Board is issuing for public comment a 3.35% rate increase for water and sewer rates to take effect July 1, 2014; this represents the lowest increase in 9 years and is about half of what was projected this past January by DEP.

​Bronx City Councilman Jimmy Vacca has called for a two year water and sewer rate freeze in New York City.

​The Daily News ran an article a few days ago, as the time approaches for the Water Board to consider a water and sewer rate increase for July 1, 2014. The article talks about the rental payment that the water system pays to the City of New York. That number has risen dramatically in recent years, and the result is that the water system now annually pays approximately $200 million to the City of New York.

​Despite all the snow this winter, spring is anticipated with dread by many who own property in New York City. Spring brings the release of the New York City Water Board Proposal for the next fiscal year’s water and sewer rate increase. Among some of the advocates this spring, there is hope that the new Mayor will be open to amending the rate setting policies of the previous city administrations.

The Norwood News has just published another troubling article about the cost and time overruns at the filtration plant. Another year, Another Setback for the Croton Water Filtration Plant is an unwelcome reminder about the link between the affordability crisis in the Bronx and rising operating costs – especially the cost of water.

The NYC Water Board is considering a 5.6% rate increase proposal to take effect on July 1, 2013 - have your voice heard on this!