White Plains Council Discusses Increasing Water Rates

The average White Plains family of four, who uses 16,042 cubic-feet of water, could see its annual water bills increase by $23.52 to $308.36—if the White Plains Common Council approves the water rate proposal it discussed at a special meeting Tuesday.

“Last year at this time we raised rates to stabilize the fund, and noted that another water rate increase would be needed [this year] and a new water rate be made again,” said Finance Commissioner Michael Genito.

The 2010-11 water fund closed out with a deficit of $1.375 million, despite last year’s water rate increases. Click for a story on the previous year’s water rate increases. If the council approves the currently proposed increases there would still be a small deficit in the water fund at the end of the 2011-12 fiscal year, however the fund would break even in 2012-13.

The average multi-family dwelling, that uses 800,000 cubic-feet of water, will see their bill go up by $2,232.48 to $29,574.24 if the proposal is approved; while the average excess non per capita account, that uses 1.9 million cubic-feet of water, will see an increase of $19,512 to $155,45.16.

There are two water rate schedules: a basic schedule—billed semi-annually—and the excess non per capita schedule—billed quarterly. The excess non per capita schedule is a tier for large water consumers who are charged more, because they use water in excess of New York City’s non per capita rate. 

If the water rate proposal is approved, the first six steps of the basic water rate schedule will increase 8 percent; while the last two steps will increase by 10 percent. Each step represents an increase in water consumption. The availability/demand charge for the basic schedule will increase by 10 percent. The changes would take effect on Dec. 1.

The excess non per capita schedule would increase by 12 percent for the first six steps and 15 percent for the last threes steps. The availability/demand charge would increase by 10 percent. These changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

Genito said that the reason 2010-11 ended in deficit is because the increases didn’t become effective for an entire year; that the cost of purchasing raw water from New York City was $1 million more than anticipated; Con Edison’s electricity rates increased; and there were two water main breaks, as well as a fire.

Commissioner of Public Works Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti said the fire at the Bengal Tiger in June 2010 alone used 1.7 million gallons of water and cost a couple of hundred thousand dollars. The council asked Nicoletti whether the costs for that water could be recouped through insurance or FEMA. Nicoletti said he wasn’t familiar with that being done in the past. The City also pays for treating the water with chemicals, which have been increasing, as well as the City’s water infrastructure system.

New York City has increased the cost for raw water by 79 percent in the last five years, with an average of 15.8 percent annually. White Plains’ current water rate proposal assumes New York City will raise its rates by 15 percent in June/July 2012.

New York City's excess per capita rate is based on population and is 125 gal. per person, per day. White Plains uses between 150 to 170 gal/person/day, because the rate only accounts for residents.

White Plains has around 57,000 residents, however Genito says the population can swell up to 250,000 people during the day. Click to read about the City’s effort to fight the New York City on its water rates.

Though White Plains continues to increase its water rates, Nicoletti said that White Plains is usually in the top five local communities who have the lowest water rates. Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona—who grew up in Europe where water is expensive and conserved—said that resident’s needed to change their attitudes toward water usage.

“If you’re conservative with your water use, you can save a lot of money,” said Nicoletti, explaining that consuming more can bump you up into the next tier that charges more for water. 

The counil will vote on the discussed increases at an upcoming meeting.

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