City Water Costs Could Soar Due To Natural Gas Drilling
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New Yorkers could see their water rates rise more than 170 percent if state officials allow companies to drill for natural gas in the Catskills.
The drilling would take place at the Catskill-Delaware Watershed, where New York City receives more than 90 percent of its water.
Environmentalists are concerned about potential contamination of the water from chemicals used in drilling. If chemicals from drilling run off into the water, the city would be forced to build its own filtration plant at costs of more than $6 billion.
The city's Independent Budget Office projects water rates for a single family home would jump $367 a year during the 10-year construction period.
IBO officials say water bills would still increase by lower levels without the new filtration plant.
The city has already committed nearly $338 million to protect the Catskill watershed.