Link to Town Board discussion with Victor Carosi during work session on water rates and infrastructure issues

https://youtu.be/HGKGuTSX9z0 

The Greenburgh water district is responsible for providing residents of a large section of town with water.  In fact, we provide drinking water to over 40,500 of the 43,000 in unincorporated population in the Town of Greenburgh.  The Town purchases the water from NYC. Since 2014, the last time there was a water rate hike, NYC has increased the charge to the Town for this water by 15.5%.  In addition, costs for supplies have also gone up by 6.7%.  And NYC is expected to increase our water rates again by 8.6%

In addition to the above, we're addressing infrastructure needs. These are some of the infrastructure enhancements we must make in order to guarantee that your water tastes good and is safe (we won't tolerate having a Flint Michigan situation here!).  These are some of the infrastructure enhancements we're making:

•             Water tank painting: $4,899,109

•             Additional Water Tank Painting: $5,000,000

•             Rumbrook/Knollwood Transmission Main: $7,500,000 to $12,300,000

•             Pump Station Rehabilitation: $8,200,000 to $13,300,000

•             Replace substandard pipe infrastructure:  $1,500,000 annually

•             Clean and Line pipes: $1,500,000 to $3,000,000 annually

Our water has passed many inspections. We've won best tasting contests and don't have any lead related problems.

The bad news is that we need to pay for these improvements through the increased water rates.   Greenburgh's water department does not receive any taxpayer subsidy.  Our rates will be going up 9.5% in 2016.    We are trying hard to cut costs. We recently replaced water meters. As a result we don’t have to manually read the meters. It’s an automated system that uses a small transmitter to read the meters. We will be able to reduce our workforce via attrition. We will continue to explore other initiatives to save you money.

COMPARISONS WITH OTHER NEARBY WATER RATES…

Although our rates are going up Greenburgh customers still get a great deal. United Water / Suez customers (and some Greenburgh residents are Suez) pay $7.73 per thousand gallons, in addition to other surcharges and fees, compared to $5.69 per thousand gallons that Greenburgh customers would pay under the proposed rate increase.  WJWW customers in Harrison ae paying $5.83 plus a base meter charge, residents in the Village of Scarsdale pay $3.34 up to 37 units, but $11.70 for higher consumption.  Our highest rate block is $8.49.  Elmsford residents are paying $8.20 and commercial customers are paying up to $9.45.  Residents in White Plains, Yonkers and Mt. Vernon do pay less than Greenburgh, but the relationship between the water rate and the general tax revenue is unclear so a direct rate comparison would not be accurate.

The Greenburgh Town Board is holding a  public hearing on water rates tomorrow at our Board meeting at 7:30 PM.  No one appreciates paying more for water. But, this is something we have to do.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor