Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Section 1045-j (3) and 1045-j (9a) of the New York State Public Authorities Law, on May 14, 15, 16, 19 and 20, 2014, the New York City Water Board (the “Board”) will hold public hearings concerning proposed rates and charges for the use of, or services furnished, rendered or made available by the water and wastewater system of the City of New York and changes to other rates, fees, charges and billing policies to be incorporated into the Board’s Rate Schedule effective July 1, 2014. The hearings will be held as follows:

• Rate Presentation - Fiscal Year 2015 (pdf)
• Draft of Proposed Rate Schedule - Fiscal Year 2015 (pdf)

The hearings will be held as follows:

I. The Board will consider a proposal to increase currently effective metered and unmetered water rates by a percentage not to exceed 3.35% and to continue wastewater charges at 159% of water charges for services provided in fiscal year 2015, commencing July 1, 2014.

II. In addition, the Board will consider the following billing program and miscellaneous fee proposals:

1. Minimum Charge: A freeze of the minimum charge for meter-billed customers at the fiscal year 2014 rate of $0.49 per day for water service, plus the wastewater charge of 159% of water charges.
2. Leak Forgiveness Program: Various modifications including, but not limited to, extending the program to include leaks of maintainable plumbing fixtures for any customer who, within 60 days, fixes a leak that resulted in a high bill and decreasing the time to apply for the program from 18 months to within 90 days of the high bill.
3. Appeal Process: An extension of the response time for customers to file final appeals from 30 to 60 days and exclusion from the lien sale for customers who have filed an appeal prior to the publication of the 90-day lien sale list.
4. “Catch-up” Bills: A suspension of interest for 90 days when previously under-billed consumption is billed after the installation of a wireless meter reading device.
5. Multi-family Conservation Program (MCP): An extension until June 30, 2016 for properties automatically enrolled in the MCP in fiscal year 2013 to have a meter and automated meter reading device installed.
6. Service Line Protection Program: An increase in the Sewer Service Line Protection Policy annual rates from $95.88 to $101.64 per sewer service line contract.
7. Toilet Replacement Program (TRP): New miscellaneous fees in connection with the TRP, including an Installation Confirmation Form Enforcement Administrative Fee of $50 and a Toilet Installation Enforcement Administrative Fee of $250 plus the full value of the redeemed fixture voucher.

All hearings are open to the public. Anyone may attend or register to speak at any borough hearing, regardless of the borough in which s/he resides or in which his/her property is located. Those who wish to testify at a hearing should contact Kevin Kunkle by email: kkunkle@dep.nyc.gov, telephone: (718) 595-3601, or mail: New York City Water Board, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 8th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373, to register no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the hearing at which s/he wishes to testify. Oral testimony will be limited to five (5) minutes duration. A copy of any prepared or written statement may be submitted for the Board’s consideration at the above email or mailing address by 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2014.