Contact: Joe Coffey
ALBANY, NY – The Albany Water Board will host a Zoom public hearing on Thursday, December 17 regarding the proposed 3.5% water and sewer rate increase to take effect on January 1, 2021.
More information about the rate increase including an overview presentation.
This change would increase the average residential bill by $14.20 per year and the minimum bill by $7.67 per year.
What: Public Hearing – Water and Sewer Rate Increase
When: Thursday, December 17, 2020, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Where: Zoom Online Meeting (to attend, please register by December 17 at 12:00 pm)
Background:
As a 24/7 operation, Albany Water manages the water supply at local reservoirs, filters the water at its treatment plant, and reliably delivers high-quality water through a distribution system. The Albany Water Department also maintains the pipes that safely carry away wastewater and stormwater.
Much of Albany’s water and sewer infrastructure is over 100 years old. Repairs and upgrades are necessary to guarantee the delivery of clean water and the removal of wastewater and stormwater.
Water and sewer bills help pay for these improvements, as well as daily operation and maintenance. To keep costs to ratepayers low, Albany Water has applied for and received $36 million in grants since 2014.
The Albany Water Board is also in a regional partnership to significantly improve water quality in the Hudson River through the implementation of a Long Term Control Plan (LTCP). The LTCP aims to greatly reduce untreated Combined Sewer Overflows and has an overall cost to the Board of $60 million.
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