The New York City water and sewer system is administered by three entities, the New York City Water Finance Authority (the "Authority"), the New York City Water Board (the "Water Board") and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. The Authority and the Water Board are public benefit corporations that were created by acts of the State Legislature to ensure the continued maintenance of, and the development of new sources of, water for the City of New York and for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage in a safe, sanitary and efficient manner. Recent increases and proposed increases in water and sewer rates have raised concerns that water and sewer service, essential to public health, will become cost prohibitive for many users in the near future.

In addition to supplying water to New York City, the New York City water system provides 85 percent of the water used in Westchester County and approximately 7.5 percent of the water used in Putnam, Orange and Ulster Counties.

This hearing will examine this issue as it relates to the cost of providing water from the New York City water system and sewer service in New York City.

Please see the reverse side for a description of the bills which may be discussed at the hearing.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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A.3250 Weprin - Requires the New York City Water Board to wait at least thirty days after adoption of the City budget before setting its annual fees, rates, rents or other charges for the use of the sewage or water systems, or both.

A.3374 Perry - Prohibits the New York City Water Board from enacting any rules and regulations less favorable to the consumer, including timeframes for appeals and receiving refunds.

A.4635 Brennan - Enacts a comprehensive complaint review procedure for the New York City Water Board in its processing of grievances brought by water and sewer customers, including the imposition of time limitations and further review by an independent administrative law judge.

A.4733 Brennan - Requires that appointment of members of the New York City Water Board be made by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council.

A.5878 Abbate - Requires the City of New York to provide for payment of certain amounts to the local water fund in the custody of the New York City Water Board.

A.6802 Brennan - Relates to sewer and water rates for those granted senior citizen real property tax exemptions in the City of New York.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Will water remain affordable to the users of the New York City water system? are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to: