State appoints monitor to oversee New York American Water

The state Public Service Commission on Oct. 18 selected PA Consulting Group, an international consulting company, as the independent monitor to oversee New York American Water’s controls and billing system. The appointment is part of a deal reached between NYAW and the state PSC, which also includes the planned issuance of credits to customers after their water bills skyrocketed in recent months.

“The monitor will ensure the company remains firmly on the path to providing the best possible customer service and prevent backsliding,” PSC Chairman John Rhodes said in a statement. “The monitor will provide quarterly reports that will be made publicly available to ensure full and complete transparency, and any corrective actions that are needed will be taken.”

PA Consulting Group consists of more than 2,600 specialists in the fields of government, logistics, financial services and more, according to its website. A statement from the PSC said the group will review how NYAW files state property and special district taxes. It will also evaluate why thousands of customers complained about their bills more than doubling, despite their efforts to conserve water.

The company will also review whether inaccurate or faulty metering led to inaccurate bills, review NYAW’s communication plan for notifying customers of rate changes and more.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Beach, received hundreds of complaints from constituents who saw their water bills rise. “New York American Water has lost the trust of South Shore residents and appointing this monitor is a necessary step toward ensuring they will be more considerate of their ratepayers,” he said in a statement. “Our residents are eagerly awaiting relief and I hope this is the first real step to that end.”

Residents in recent weeks have pushed for a public takeover of the private utility company.