Residents blast water utility over high bills

<p>Customers and local lawmakers packed a public hearing Thursday night in East Rockaway.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 10, 2018, 9:55 AM

Updated 2,307 days ago

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Some south shore residents are claiming they are paying too much for their water bills, but now some local lawmakers are promising to fix it.
Customers and local lawmakers packed a public hearing Thursday night in East Rockaway.
They say despite using less water, their New York American Water bills are skyrocketing.
The company told customers that the conservation rate approved last year appeared to be the primary cause for the increases.
Lawmakers say they will be following up on almost 700 complaints.
“The fact that we heard tonight that the company is relying on a bill insert from 2017 to justify rate changes today that people had no idea about is not fair and we're going to ask that the rate be rolled back and that the residents get some relief,” said Sen. Todd Kaminsky
New York American Water is facing scrutiny from the county and the state.
The Nassau County District Attorney's office and the state comptroller's office say they are both reviewing complaints.