File #: Res 0622-2006    Version: * Name: NYC Water Board to provide homeowners aged sixty-two years and older a ten percent discount on water and sewer charges.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection
On agenda: 11/29/2006
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Water Board to provide homeowners aged sixty-two years and older a ten percent discount on water and sewer charges.
Sponsors: Tony Avella, Simcha Felder, Vincent J. Gentile, Alan J. Gerson, Sara M. Gonzalez, Letitia James, Annabel Palma, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., James Sanders, Jr., Kendall Stewart, James Vacca, Albert Vann, David I. Weprin, Thomas White, Jr., Melissa Mark-Viverito, Michael C. Nelson, James S. Oddo
Council Member Sponsors: 17

Res. No. 622

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Water Board to provide homeowners aged sixty-two years and older a ten percent discount on water and sewer charges.

 

By Council Members Avella, Felder, Gentile, Gerson, Gonzalez, James, Palma, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr., Stewart, Vacca, Vann, Weprin, White Jr., Mark-Viverito, Nelson and Oddo

 

 

Whereas,  In 1984, because of New York City’s decades long neglect of the water supply and wastewater treatment system, two public entities were created to assure that those 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) system; and

Whereas, Over the last ten years the water/wastewater treatment rates have drastically increased by over 50% in order to pay for the operation of the water and wastewater treatment systems and related projects; and

Whereas, This past Spring the New York City Water Board increased rates for Fiscal Year 2007 by 9.4%; and

Whereas, The charge for water, measured by volume, is $1.81 for every one hundred (100) cubic feet provided, which is equivalent of 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, Average water and wastewater charges for a single-family residence in Fiscal Year 2006 was $645 and will increase in Fiscal Year 2007 to $705; and

Whereas, The rising rates place an undue financial burden upon homeowners over the age of sixty-two, many of whom live upon a fixed income; and

Whereas, Currently there is no discount for senior citizens and a discount would relieve some of the financial hardship faced by seniors living on a fixed income in New York City; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Water Board to provide homeowners age sixty-two years and older a ten percent discount on the water and sewer charges.

 

JH/JS

LS# 16/2006

H:/LSRequests/Resolution - Senior Discount - Water Rates

10/30/06