Port Washington Water District increases rates for 2019

Jessica Parks
Port Washington Water District

Customers of the Port Washington Water District will see an average increase in their water bill of about $1.14 per month that took effect Jan. 1, according to the water district.

The rate adjustment will allow the district to remain within the 2 percent tax cap as well as aid in paying for water infrastructure projects of the past, future and present, according to a district news release.

Port Washington Water District Commissioner Mindy Germain said in a news release that despite the “significant amount of capital investments and improvements to our supply and distribution system,” the water district has managed to remain within the 2 percent tax cap set for 2019 but “water rates will need to be adjusted to provide an additional $189,630 in projected revenue to avoid piercing the cap.”

Port Washington Water District Board of Commissioners Chairman David Brackett said the water district tries to provide the people of Port Washington with the “highest quality of water at the lowest possible cost” despite the climbing costs “as we are met with increased operational challenges and more stringent testing parameters.”

The Port Washington Water District’s expense budget for 2019 is $6,733,992. According to the release, the rate adjustment was calculated from a review of the 2018 water rate structure and property taxes with respect to the projected fiscal needs of the 2019 budget to “determine the amount of revenue needed to make ends meet.”

Peter Meyer, a water district commissioner, said in a statement: “We are always trying to cut costs where appropriate and maximize economies of scale, but the rising costs for infrastructure and operations are simply outpacing our ability to reduce spending.”

Debt service for the water district will also see an increase of over $140,000 compared with the 2018 budget, which the release attributed to the multiple capital projects in the district since 2012.

Some of the projects include the installation of a treatment facility to lower nitrate levels; the installation of a packed tower aeration treatment system to treat for organic chemicals in the water; new service lines, fire hydrants and over 4,000 feet of 8-inch water mains on Manhasset Isle; the replacement of 4,500 feet of water main on Circle Drive; rehabilitation of a number of wells; the installation of new hatches and vents on the Neulist underground storage tank; repairs to the Southport elevated water storage tank; replacement of the booster and transfer pumps on the Christopher Morley Park water treatment plant; and construction of the new Beacon Hill water tower.

According to the water district’s cash balances as of Dec. 31, the district’s outstanding debt service is $18,824,939.

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