Residents Steamed Over City's Proposed Water Rate Hike
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The City Water Board held a public hearing Monday in Flushing on the proposed 14 percent increase on water bills.
The proposed hike comes on top of double-digit increases in water rates in the last two years.
Department of Environmental Protection officials say water usage so far this year is at its lowest rate since the 1960s. They also say the drop in revenue is to blame for the rate hike.
Residents who attended the hearing say they simply can't afford higher bills.
"The Water Board is charged legally with fixing a rate that covers the entire costs of operating the entire water system
Let me remind the New York City Water Board that water is not a luxury, it's a necessity. And raising these rates 14 percent, far in excess of inflation, hurts those who can least afford it.
Public hearings are planned in the other four boroughs this week.
The Water Board will vote on the proposed hike on May 15th. If approved, the rate increase will take effect July 1st.