The Town of Newburgh voted to raise water rates, and sewage rates for some districts at last Monday’s work session.

Town Engineer James Osborne presented the proposed water rates. Those receiving water at a metered rate, will have to pay a minimum bill of $20 per 7,500 gallons. This is an increase from 2019’s minimum charge of $18.

The next 10,000 gallons will cost $4.62 per thousand gallons. The next 82,500 gallons will be charged at $5.32 per thousand gallons. For water usage over 100,000 gallons per quarter, the rate will be $6.32 per 1,000 gallons.

For the Nob Hill and Roseton Sewer Districts, sewage rates will remain the same. For Nob Hill, rates are currently at $8.50 per thousand gallons of sewage use. For Roseton, rates are currently $136 per unit per quarter. Sewage usage rates in the Crossroads Consolidated Sewer District will be $5.96 per 1000 gallons of water consumed per premises.

Finally, the minimum charge of $36 per quarter for unmetered sewage usage will remain the same.

No one spoke out to contest the increased rates during the public hearing.
“These increases are based on New York City water prices,” said Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio. A majority of the town’s water comes from New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct.

“New York City rates, they’re ranked from $1,729 per million gallons to almost $1,915, and they wanted to raise it to $2,000,” said Osborne. “We’re going to hold off on that [raise], which is approximately a 10 percent increase. Our increase in water rates is only about 2 percent.”