Suffolk County Water Authority customers will see a slight increase in their water bills under the agency’s newly approved $346 million budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
At its March 26 meeting, the authority’s board adopted the spending plan, which includes a 2.81% rate increase for ratepayers. For the average customer, that translates to an additional $16.62 per year, or about $1.39 per month, bringing the typical annual bill to $607.
While any increase impacts household budgets, officials emphasized that the adjustment is smaller than last year’s 2.99% hike and remains below the projected rate of inflation.
“We developed this budget with fiscal responsibility in mind while funding our core infrastructure needs,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “We are advancing our treatment capabilities and securing our water system for the future without placing an undue financial burden on our ratepayers.”
The increase comes as the authority faces rising operational costs, particularly tied to water treatment. The price of materials such as carbon—used to filter contaminants like PFAS—has contributed to higher expenses, along with ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to capital improvements, including new treatment systems, replacement of aging wells and water mains, and upgrades to metering technology. Officials say these investments are necessary to maintain water quality and system reliability for the more than 1.2 million residents served by SCWA.
Board members noted that replacing older infrastructure can help prevent costly failures and reduce disruptions for customers over time.
Despite the increase, SCWA pointed out that its average annual bill remains significantly lower than neighboring systems, including Liberty New York Water in Nassau County.
The new rate schedule takes effect June 1, 2026, and will be reflected in customers’ bills shortly thereafter.