By Hank Russell
Liberty New York Water recently announced rate hikes that were approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) for the next three years.
The PSC recently approved a three-year plan in which Liberty New York Water customers on Long Island would see their rates go up 9.2% the first year, and 4.5% in the second and third years. The rate increases take effect on September 1, 2024 and will run through March 31, 2027. Under this plan, Liberty Water is expected to raise $7.2 million in revenue during that time.
The water company sought a higher rate increase and a rise in revenue, but the PSC reduced the proposed revenue amount by more than half.
Liberty New York Water services 125,000 customers, according to the PSC, with many of its customers residing in the hamlets of Merrick and Massapequa, the Town of Hempstead and the Village of Sea Cliff.
“With this three-year plan, the company will be able to continue to provide its customers with clean, safe water and to save money by promoting and encouraging conservation and reducing leakage,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Adoption of this rate plan ensures critical investments that are good for the rates customers will pay, and good for their assurance of safe and adequate service.”
This did not sit well with Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow (D-Merrick), who has part of his constituency in the water district. He decried the rate increases and also blamed South Nassau Water Authority for allowing the yearly increases to happen.Koslow said the rate increases “[fall] squarely upon the shoulders of the South Nassau Water Authority” and accused South Nassau of allowing Liberty to monopolize the water supply.
“Because efforts to establish a public water authority have proceeded at a glacial pace over the last three years, Liberty had an opportunity to hit its already overcharged and underserved ratepayers with yet another rate hike,” Koslow said. “It is long past time for the South Nassau Water Authority’s board members to do their jobs by breaking Liberty’s monopoly on this essential resource and delivering on our collective demands for affordable, high-quality public water.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the South Nassau Water Authority, but has not heard back as of press time.
In response to the rate increases, Liberty New York Water President Deborah Franco said in a statement, “We are continuously working to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable water to our customers. Continuous investment in our infrastructure helps us achieve that. We also work very hard to provide our customers with the resources and support they need, and are excited about the new program benefits that will help our low-income customers.”