A rate hike is on tap for customers of the Suffolk County Water Authority, with average quarterly bills going up $4.18 starting June 1. A typical residential ratepayer will see their annual water cost go up to about $574, a nearly 3% hike under the new rate schedule passed by the authority board of directors.
The rate increase to cover a $304 million spending plan comes on the heels of a 4.1% jump last year for the authority’s 1.2 million customers. SCWA officials, who stressed that the rates are lower than other Long Island water providers, attributed the higher fees to rising costs and capital project debt.
The water authority’s 2024-2025 budget includes $158.7 million for annual operating and maintenance costs, $103.5 million for capital improvements, and interest on debt at $41 million. The spending package, 6% higher than the previous year, anticipates about $9.8 million in reserve funds.
The authority also approved a service charge increase from $32.07 to $33.18. Users in Tier 1 of the rate schedule, the standard rate, will see costs go up 9 cents for every thousand gallons to about $2.41 from the current $2.33 charge. A conservation rate, charged to larger users consuming more than 89,760 gallons per quarter, will increase by 13 cents per thousand gallons for amounts above the threshold. This new rate will go to $3.48 per thousand gallons, up from the current $3.36, meaning if you use a lot of water, you’ll pay more.
The water authority also charges customers an $80 annual surcharge to deal with polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “Forever Chemicals,” and other groundwater contaminants, requirements made more stringent by state and federal regulators. The surcharge remains unchanged in this budget cycle.
The water authority has been keeping busy, recently announcing the installation of 1,480 feet of new water mains in Shirley to eliminate dead ends in the system.
“Dead ends can create challenges when flushing water mains in certain areas,” Board Chairman Charles Lefkowitz noted. “With this project complete, residents will not only see improved water service, but they will also experience the benefits that come from easily flushed water mains. This is an exciting project for us at the Suffolk County Water Authority, and we are proud to see it come to fruition.”
Suffolk Legislator James Mazzarella added, "This project will result in improved distribution of water, pressure, and fire protection in the area. It will also help to resolve sediment buildup in the system."
The agency also recently installed 1,400 feet of main in Patchogue and 20,000 feet in Manorville to serve 116 homes that had contaminated tap water, among other recent expansion projects in Huntington and Sayville.