Rockland Water Coalition Asks Residents To Speak Against Rate Changes

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Rockland Water Coalition is calling all residents to come and speak on June 15 and 16 at public hearings against a new request of $54.5 million in rate hikes from Suez which would raise the average Rockland county resident's monthly water bill by $8.17 a month.

The Rockland Water Coalition is asking residents to come and speak out against a proposed rate hike by Suez.
Photo Credit: *Rockland Water Coalition/Facebook*

K Reakes

06/06/2016 10:52 a.m.

The coalition said that a part of the increase would allow Suez to recoup $54 million it spent on its failed desalination plant in Haverstraw.

Suez said increases in franchise and real estate taxes are the reasons for the requested rate hike.

According to the coalition, Rockland already pays among the highest water rates in the country. The proposed rate increase will average 13.7 percent. However, the average single family homeowner will be charged an increase of 18.7 percent for one year alone.

On top of this first increase, the company is proposing a set of increases which will more than double the first increase. That means increases of over 37 percent for the single family homeowner, over half of it with a highly shortened review process, the coalition claims.

In response to the Rockland public’s strong call for conservation and repair of leaks, Suez is proposing a conservation plan, new plans to reduce leaking pipes, and a new conservation rate structure to discourage waste of water

Hearings will be held on the following dates and locations:

Wednesday, June 15

Stony Point Community Center (Rho Building), 5 Clubhouse Lane, Stony Point.
2 p.m. information session
3 p.m. public hearing
6 p.m. information session
7 p.m. public hearing

Thursday, June 16

Rockland Community College Technology Center, Ellipse Room 8180, 145 College Road, Ramapo
2 p.m. information session
3 p.m. public hearing
6 p.m. information session
7 p.m. public hearing

For more information, click here.

Written comments can be sent to the NYS Public Service Commission with Case Number: 16-W-0130 in the subject line and e-mailed to: Kathleen H. Burgess at secretary@dps.ny.gov.

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