Long Island officials are pushing back against Liberty Utilities after the private water provider proposed rate hikes that could add nearly $30 per month to some household bills.
Frustration has grown because the New York State Public Service Commission scheduled just two in-person public hearings for Nov. 18 — on the same day, in different locations — prompting local leaders to argue the process makes it too difficult for customers to participate meaningfully.
Here's what to know
State regulators were urged to deny Liberty New York Water's rate request during an Oct. 22 press conference in Merrick led by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, according to Long Island Life & Politics.
State filings outline sizable increases in both service areas. Liberty Utilities is seeking revenue increases of about 21.87% in Service Area 1 and 30.14% in Service Area 2. That second service area includes most Oyster Bay customers served by the company, including parts of Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Sea Cliff, Glen Head, and Glenwood Landing.
Ferretti framed the issue as a direct burden on local households, saying: "These are Long Island water districts, Long Island customers, and Long Island families being told to pay more." Some residential customers could see their water bills rise by close to $30 a month.
Both Ferretti and DeSena also criticized a Nov. 2 evidentiary hearing in Albany, arguing that the customers who would ultimately pay the higher rates were excluded from the proceeding.
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More background
Liberty's posted rates show the current baseline now at issue. A typical residential user consuming 8,000 gallons a month would have bills of $27.77 in Lynbrook, $26.89 in Sea Cliff, and $21.20 in Merrick.
Liberty says the added revenue would fund iron-removal treatment, PFAS/PFOA treatment, lead service-line replacement, and main replacements.
Those projects address legitimate water-system needs, but local officials say the timing and size of the proposed increases are especially troubling as families continue to face a broader affordability crunch.
DeSena described the proposal as "both alarming and tone-deaf at a time when Long Island families are already struggling with a very real affordability crisis. Demanding they pay hundreds of dollars more for an essential service shows a troubling lack of concern for our hardworking families. Residents should not have to worry about whether they can afford something as basic as water."
Saladino tied Liberty's request to broader anger over rising utility costs in New York, saying: "The Public Service Commission has approved over 48 rate hikes in recent years, and people are being forced out of their homes because of soaring utility rates."
What's being done?
Ferretti said the PSC should reject the current proposal and require Liberty Utilities to start over. The elected officials are also encouraging residents to sign a Change.org petition opposing the increases.
Two in-person public statement hearings are scheduled for Nov. 18: one at noon at the Merrick Public Library and another at 5 p.m. at the Lynbrook Library. The PSC schedule lists two virtual public statement meetings for Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Anyone who wants to speak must register by Nov. 27 through the PSC's hearing notice and calendar.
Liberty has defended the process. Deborah Franco of Liberty Utilities said: "The November 2 evidentiary hearing is part of the formal rate-case process and is separate from the public statement hearings intended for customer participation. Liberty customers do not need to travel to Albany to make their voices heard."
DeSena added: "Long Island residents deserve safe drinking water and dependable infrastructure, but they also deserve a voice in decisions that will drive up their bills. Our residents shouldn't be forced to shoulder these excessive costs without a meaningful opportunity to be heard."
Where can I learn more?
Long Island's fight over Liberty's proposal is part of a broader wave of pushback over steep water-rate increases. The articles below track hearings, utility proposals, and resident backlash over rising water bills in other communities.
• In West Virginia, ratepayers pack a public hearing and press their utility over a 30% water hike.
• In Pennsylvania, residents are furious over a 65% water rate hike and condemn a 3-2 approval vote.
• In Temple Terrace, Florida, officials drop a $93M water pipeline plan while bracing for a 35% hike.
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