File #: Res 0643-2006    Version: * Name: Abolish the minimum charge for water and wastewater treatment services, irrespective of the amount of water consumed each billing period.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection
On agenda: 12/6/2006
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Water Board to abolish the minimum charge for water and wastewater treatment services, irrespective of the amount of water consumed each billing period.
Sponsors: Tony Avella, Sara M. Gonzalez, Letitia James, Darlene Mealy, Michael C. Nelson, Kendall Stewart, David I. Weprin, Alan J. Gerson
Council Member Sponsors: 8

Res. No. 643

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Water Board to abolish the minimum charge for water and wastewater treatment services, irrespective of the amount of water consumed each billing period.

 

By Council Members Avella, Gonzalez, James, Mealy, Nelson, Stewart, Weprin, and Gerson

 

 

                     Whereas, In 1984, because of New York City’s decades long neglect of the water and wastewater treatment systems, two public entities were created to assure the water supply and sewer systems would be adequately funded and protected for the people of New York City; and

                     Whereas, the New York legislature created the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and the New York City Water Board; and

Whereas, The New York City Water Board was given the exclusive authority to fix and revise the rates or other charges for the use of the water supply and wastewater treatment (sewer) systems; and

Whereas, A minimum charge for water and wastewater treatment services is imposed upon all homeowners property, irrespective to the amount of water they consume each billing period; and

Whereas, Any change to the minimum charge for water and wastewater treatment services may only be made by the New York City Water Board; and

Whereas, The charge for water measured, by volume, is $1.81 per one hundred cubic feet which is equivalent to seven hundred and forty-eight (748) gallons; and

Whereas, Wastewater charges are determined based on a rate of one hundred and fifty-nine percent (159%) of a customer’s water charges; and

Whereas, The minimum imposed for water services is $.24 per day per water meter within a billing period; and

Whereas, The minimum charge is imposed for any billing period in which charges based on actual consumption multiplied by the water and sewer rates is less than the minimum charge; and

Whereas, It is unfair for a homeowner to be forced to pay for water and wastewater treatment services where they have not used any water or used an amount that, given the rate, would be less than the minimum charge for that billing period; and

Whereas, Those New York City homeowners who do not live year-round in their New York City residence should not be forced to pay for services they are not utilizing; and

Whereas, Imposing a minimum usage charge is also inconsistent with the stated City and State policies of encouraging water conservation and the use of water-efficient fixtures and equipment because it diminishes the incentive for them to conserve as much as possible if once they reach that minimum level they are going to be charged irrespective of how much they may be able to conserve beyond that amount; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Water Board to abolish the minimum charge for water and wastewater treatment services, irrespective of the amount of water consumed each billing period.

 

 

JS/JH

LS# 34/2006

H:/LSRequests/Resolution - No Minimum Water Charges

10/30/06

Revised 11-28-06