Photo by John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Council Member Phil Wong is urging District 30 residents and New Yorkers to join him in opposing the proposed 6% water rate increase for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), calling the hike “unfair, tone deaf, and impossible to justify while many homeowners continue dealing with chronic flooding, aging infrastructure, and unresolved sewer capacity issues,” according to a press release.
As reported by QNS earlier this year, Wong first sounded the alarm in March, criticizing the city’s longstanding practice of using water bill revenue to fund expenses outside the water and sewer system. Now, with another rate increase proposed, he says “ratepayers are once again being asked to shoulder the burden of a government that refuses to live within its means.”
On Monday, May 11, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) introduced the rate hike, claiming it would “offset increased operating costs and make critical infrastructure investments.” Moreover, the DEP stated that its new partnership with the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation will assist customers with managing their water and sewer bills through a $25 million investment to “support and expand the Board’s key affordability programs.” Still, the affordability question remains, as the hike would increase a single-family’s bill by $6 per month.
In response to the matter, Wong also pointed to recurring flooding in Queens neighborhoods, including areas of District 30 that continue to experience sewer backups and stormwater issues during heavy rain events. He then argued that residents have not seen the level of sustained infrastructure investment needed to address these persistent issues.
Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Phil Wong
Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Phil Wong
“My constituents should not be forced to pay higher water bills while they are still cleaning out flooded basements and waiting for meaningful sewer upgrades,” said Wong in a statement. “You and I have to balance our budgets at home. City Hall should do the same instead of using water bills to patch holes in the budget. Homeowners are paying more and more every year, yet many are still dealing with flooded basements, inadequate sewer capacity, and infrastructure that has not kept pace with the needs of our communities.”
Wong is encouraging constituents to make their voices heard by submitting testimony to the New York City Water Board and participating in the public comment process.
“This is a backdoor tax on homeowners and small businesses,” Wong added. “Government cannot live within its means, so it keeps coming back to ratepayers for more. If City Hall wants to raise your water bill again, they should hear directly from the people paying it. I encourage residents to submit testimony, make their voices heard, and tell the Water Board that enough is enough.”
As of press time, residents can submit comments and testimony directly to the NYC Water Board as part of the public review process for the proposed rate increase. The final vote on the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10. If approved, the rate hike will take effect on Wednesday, July 1.