Public Notice

Notice of Public Hearings Concerning Proposed Rates and Charges to be Effective July 1, 2011

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Section 1045-j (3) and 1045-j (9a) of the Public Authorities Law, the New York City Water Board (the "Board") will hold public hearings on May 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10, 2011, concerning proposed rates and charges to be effective July 1, 2011, for the use of, or services furnished, rendered or made available by the water and wastewater system of the City of New York (the "City") and concerning changes to other rates, fees, charges and billing policies to be incorporated into the Board's Rate Schedule effective July 1, 2011.

The hearings will be held as follows:

I. It is anticipated that there will be a change from currently effective water rates and wastewater charges for services provided during the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2011.

1. Metered and unmetered water rates will increase by 7.5%.
2. Wastewater charges will remain at 159% of water charges.

II. In addition, the Board will consider changes to installment payment agreement terms, denial of access notice procedures, fixture flow-rates for the Comprehensive Water Reuse program, a direct debit and paperless billing discount, and a new water bill credit for customers participating in the lead and copper monitoring program, which are summarized as follows:

1. Installment payment agreement terms will be revised to include options for no down payment, a repayment period of up to ten years, and new default provisions.
2. Customers subject to a denial of access proceeding currently receive all three required notices by both first-class and certified mail. The Board proposes to change the delivery of the first required notice, which has no concurrent financial impact on the customer, to first-class mail only; the final two required notices will continue to be sent by both first-class and certified mail.
3. The maximum fixture flow-rates to qualify for a reduced water rate pursuant to the Board's Comprehensive Water Reuse program will be conformed to recent changes to the NYC Plumbing Code.
4. A direct debit discount of 2% for metered customers will be revised to include a new requirement of registering for paperless billing and extended for one year.
5. For registered participants in the lead and copper monitoring program, a new credit of $25 will be applied to a customer's water bill upon successful completion of a lead and copper monitoring test.

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.

The Board's public information booklet describing the rate proposal and changes to billing policies is available on the Board's website at www.nyc.gov/nycwaterboard. The booklet is also available upon request by contacting Kevin Kunkle, New York City Water Board, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 8th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373, Telephone 718-595-3601, email: kkunkle@dep.nyc.gov. Those who wish to testify at a hearing should contact Mr. Kunkle to register no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the hearing s/he wishes to attend. 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 mailing or email address by 1:00 p.m. on May 11, 2011.

• Draft of Proposed Changes to Fiscal Year 2012 Rate Schedule
• Fiscal Year 2012 Rate and Billing Policy Proposal Report