Liberty seeking water rate hikes of $21-$28 a month for Nassau customers

Nassau customers will get the chance next month to weigh in on another round of proposed rate increases of $21 to $28 a month for Liberty New York Water bills, but some aren’t waiting for the state hearings to express their concerns.

"I think it’s a disgrace," said David Beldner, a retiree from East Rockaway who has been railing against Liberty water hikes for years.

All 120,000 Liberty customers across its three service areas in Nassau County face double-digit bill increases next year.

Under the proposed rate increase, customers in the Lynbrook service area, including Beldner, would see their monthly bills increase $27.77, or 28.3%, while those in the Sea Cliff area would see hikes of $26.89, or 29.71%, and Merrick-area customers $21.20, or 36.99%, according to information from the state Public Service Commission, which is reviewing the request.

Liberty has said the rate hikes are needed for it to make repairs on aging infrastructure and to address mandates to filter out harmful forever chemicals among other things.

Liberty New York Water President Deborah Franco, in a statement to Newsday, said, "We understand the importance of balancing system safety and reliability with customer affordability. Our proposed investments represent what is necessary to maintain and improve our system, and we remain committed to managing expenses responsibly while continuing to provide safe, reliable service."

The requested increase comes as two specially created water authorities and a municipal water district have been attempting for years to turn sections of the former New York American Water service areas in Nassau to public water systems.

David Denenberg, a former state lawmaker and consumer advocate at Long Island Clean Air, Water and Soil in Merrick, blamed local officials and Liberty for dragging their feet in making good on the promise of public water.

Denenberg charged that Liberty has "violated the state order" that made a condition of its acquisition of American Water that it negotiate in "good faith" to sell off portions of the system for public water.

Liberty, in response to Newsday questions on the matter, in a statement said: "As part of Liberty’s acquisition of American Water, we committed to, and are actively having, good-faith negotiations around municipalization. All parties involved in the negotiations have signed a mutual confidentiality agreement, and therefore we are unable to provide any further information."

Denenberg said the rate hike that Liberty is seeking is "obviously absurd."

"The service hasn’t improved at all," he said of the water company’s performance. "They aren’t showing that a hike of this amount is necessary."

Denenberg also charged that Liberty’s profits have increased since the takeover, higher even than a state-approved 9.8%. "Why do they need an increase of this amount?"

Franco in her statement said the increase would specifically cover the cost of water main replacements, "emerging-contaminant treatment, and lead service line replacement."

As did New York American Water hikes, Liberty's 2024 increase drew widespread criticism and scrutiny. The "levelized" increase of 17% the company received PSC approval for turned out to be higher for residential customers — upward of 23%-27%, Newsday reported at the time. 

Customers will have several ways of having their voices heard about the latest set of rate hikes. 

There are two sets of in-person hearings in Nassau where customers can weigh in on the case.

They begin on Nov. 18 at noon at the Merrick Public Library community room (2279 Merrick Ave); continue a 5 p.m. the same day at the Lynbrook Library community room (56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook).

There is also a virtual public hearing at 1 p.m. on Dec. 2, with access at: meetny-gov.webex.com. Customers can use the access code: 2821 813 4617, and the password: Dec2-1 pm.

They can also call into the virtual public hearing by calling 1-929-251-9612, using the access code: 2821 813 4617. The password for the call-in option is 33220176. Links to the hearing will be active just prior to the meeting.

Customers can also submit comments by toll-free phone by calling 1-800-335-2120.

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.comMHarringtonNews

Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.