What's happening
This bill abolishes the minimum charge for water supply in New York City, requiring charges to be based only on actual water usage.
Why it matters
Eliminates fixed water costs for low-usage households. By abolishing the minimum charge, people who use very little water—such as seniors, small families, or vacant property owners—will no longer have to pay a set fee regardless of their actual consumption, potentially lowering their water bills.
Encourages water conservation. Since charges will be strictly based on water usage, residents and businesses now have a stronger financial incentive to use less water, aligning costs directly with conservation efforts.
Shifts revenue model for NYC water system. The bill could impact the financial stability of the city’s water system, as it removes a predictable source of revenue (minimum charges), possibly requiring rate adjustments or new funding strategies to cover system maintenance and infrastructure costs.
Potential equity implications. By tying all charges to usage, the policy may be fairer for smaller users but could lead to higher bills for larger households or multi-family buildings, raising questions about how costs are distributed among different types of water consumers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Water Minimum Charges
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Held for consideration in cities
- Referred to cities
- Referred to cities
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
End Water Minimum Charges
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Tony Avella
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5077
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the public authorities law, in relation to abolishing the minimum charge for water supply in the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 24-335 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:
§ 24-335 Charges where supply is metered. No charge for the supply of water other than a meter charge[, minimum charge] or annual service charge shall be made against any houses or lots or any portion or portions thereof where a water meter may have been or shall be placed. In all cases where a water meter may have been or shall be placed, the charge for supply of water shall be determined only by the quantity of water actually used, as shown by such meters, except for [a minimum charge or] an annual service charge and except as provided by subdivision four of section seven hundred thirty-four of the charter.
§ 2. Section 1045-j of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. The water board shall not impose any type of minimum charge, fee, rate or rent upon any class of users of property served.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00816-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.