The Port Washington Water District announced Thursday that rates would be raised approximately $2.97 per month in 2018.
“Even though we look for efficiencies and economies of scale in everything we do, the budget for the coming year requires the District to increase revenues slightly to offset the rising costs for infrastructure needs and plant operations.” PWWD Commissioner Peter Meyer said in a press release.
The district’s expense budget for 2018 will be more than $6.5 million, an increase of almost $750,000 from last year.
The district said the reason for the increase was several capital projects that are either underway or have been completed in the last five years.
These projects included the installation of a nitrate treatment facility, an aeration treatment system and access hatches to an underground tank.
The district added service lines, fire hydrants and 4,000 feet of 8-inch water mains to the Manhasset Isle. 4,5000 feet of the water main on Circle Drive was replaced and several wells were rehabilitated. Repairs were made to an above-ground storage tank, booster and transfer pumps were replaced at the Christopher Morley Park water treatment plant and construction was started on the Beacon Hill water tower.
“Each one of these vital projects is needed to improve the reliability and resiliency of our aging infrastructure as well as address any concern about water quality,” said PWWD Commissioner Mindy Germain.
On top of this, the increase will help to pay for chemicals, equipment and other materials need to maintain a clean supply of water for Port Washington residents, the commissioners said.
Germain added that despite all of the large programs being taken on by the district, the rate increase would remain within the 1.84 percent property tax cap.
“We are dedicated to improving efficiencies wherever possible and cutting costs whenever the opportunity exists,” PWWD Board of Commissioner Chairman David Brackett said. “In fact, we have been able to hold water rates constant for the past two years, despite the increasing costs of energy, major infrastructure protection and water-quality testing.”
