The New York City Water Board voted on Friday to approve a 5.6 percent water rate increase effective July 1.
Proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on April 5, the rate increase comes as no surprise to Queens residents. However, despite many homeowners expressing displeasure, very few thought that it is unreasonable.
“Well, it makes sense that they would raise the rates now that summer’s about to begin,” said Whitestone resident Sheila Johnson. “That’s when people will be drinking more water to stay hydrated.”
Another Whitestone resident described the rate hike as “opportunistic.”
“I’m not entirely sure that it’s necessary,” he said. “But there’s no point in complaining about something I can’t change. Plus, I don’t really mind paying a little more for things that I know I can’t live without, like water.”
What is notable about this particular rate increase is that it is the lowest one since 2006, which was a 3.12 percent hike. Water rate increases have been on a steady decline since 2009, and this latest rate increase is a continuation of that trend.
“[The increase] doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Charlie M. of Howard Beach. “It’s really not that big of an increase, though. I remember when it used to be way worse.”
-BY JOHANN HAMILTON
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