The Village of Maybrook board voted unanimously June 15 to increase water rates for village residents, businesses and out-of-district customers, citing a six-figure deficit in the village water fund — but the decision drew criticism from residents who questioned both the need for the hike and the quality of the water they are being asked to pay more for.

The new rate for village residents will rise from $4.25 to $4.50 per thousand gallons, a 25-cent increase. The quarterly water surcharge will remain unchanged at $5. Business customers will see their rate increase from $4.67 to $4.95 per thousand gallons, and out-of-village customers will pay $5.24, up from $4.99.

Mayor Dennis Leahy said the increase stems directly from findings in the village’s most recent independent audit, which identified a water fund deficit of $104,634.

“Rather than implement a large increase to immediately recover the entire deficit, the village board chose a measured and responsible approach,” Leahy said, according to remarks he made at an April 2026 meeting with the village’s auditors, posted on the village website.

Leahy said the board expects the rate adjustment to generate more than $16,000 toward reducing the deficit. He added that rates will be revisited during next year’s budget process.

It is the second time in three years the village has raised water rates. In 2023, the board voted unanimously to increase the rate by 10 cents per thousand gallons, to the current $4.25, citing rising utility and supply costs and the need to ensure water fund revenues kept pace with expenditures.

Several residents who attended the June 15 meeting were skeptical.

“You raise taxes, then you’re raising water?” said resident Matthew McGroarty. “You didn’t have the foresight two or three years ago to think, ‘Hey, this is going to be a problem?’”

Others raised concerns about water quality. Resident Tashika Cigna said the water in her home is so heavily chlorinated she cannot drink it and has spent hundreds of dollars on bottled water.

“So my question is, when are we going to be able to drink it?” she said.

The board said water test results were posted May 27 on the village website, signed off on by Department of Public Works Superintendent Matt Thorp, and that the water had passed testing.