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Overcast Resident outraged over Aqua minimum
Company charges homeowners whether they use water or not
Regardless of how much water you use, if you’re an Aqua customer, you must pay for at least 1,800 gallons of water each billing cycle. For Bellmorite Howard Finger, 65, that’s a problem.
Finger recently received a $67 bill for the period of Nov. 19 through Jan. 12. At first he didn’t notice that he was being charged for 1,800 gallons of water, but he had only used 1,300 gallons over the billing period. Upon closer inspection of his bill, Finger realized that he and his wife, Arlene, had used 30 percent less water than Aqua’s minimum, but were charged for 1,800 gallons anyway. When he called the company to inquire about a refund, Finger recalled, “They said, ‘Yes there is a mandatory minimum,’” and, no, he would not be reimbursed.
Finger said he was outraged to learn that Aqua ratepayers are charged for 1,800 gallons regardless of whether they use that much water. He said he makes an effort to use as little water as possible and has installed low-flow toilets in his home to conserve. He also expressed concern for neighbors who spend winters in warmer locations and are not home to use water.
Aqua customers pay $3.86 per 1,000 gallons of water, compared with Town of Hempstead ratepayers, who are charged 87 cents per 1,000 gallons. Aqua officials say their fees are higher because the company is required to pay property taxes to school districts, while the town is not. Aqua America pays nearly $470,000 in property taxes to Bellmore-Merrick school districts each year, and a total of $2.8 million to districts throughout the county.
The publicly traded company had estimated revenues of $660 million in 2009, according to its financial filings. Aqua bought out the former New York Water Service Corporation in 2007.
An Aqua spokesperson said that the minimum charge on bills was part of the rate hike approved by the New York State Public Service Commission in January 2010. A public notice by Aqua at the time stated that customers would be billed a monthly minimum of $28.52. The minimum rose to $28.96 as of Feb. 6, and will rise again in February 2012.
