SCWA 75th Anniversary Logo
At its March 26th board meeting, the Suffolk County Water Authority adopted its budget for Fiscal Year 2027, totaling $346 million. The budget funds advanced water treatment and infrastructure upgrades while responding to changing economic factors.
"We developed this budget with fiscal responsibility in mind while funding our core infrastructure needs," said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. "We are advancing our treatment capabilities and securing our water system for the future without placing an undue financial burden on our ratepayers."
Expenses, such as the cost of carbon for water treatment, are driving up operational costs. Despite these pressures, SCWA limited the rate increase to 2.81%, which is lower than the 2.99% increase implemented in the previous fiscal year and the forecasted rate of inflation in the upcoming year. This rate adjustment adds $16.62 per year, or $1.39 per month, to the average customer's bill. The new average annual bill is $607, compared to $1,871 for Liberty New York Water customers in neighboring Nassau County.
"These upgrades directly impact system reliability," said Board Member Elizabeth Mercado. "Replacing older wells, upgrading water mains and installing new meters are concrete investments in the future of our water infrastructure."
Capital projects account for approximately 36% of the budget. SCWA is directing $48.3 million to projects including Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment systems for PFAS and emerging contaminants, as well as bronze screened well replacements. These wells are generally older and more prone to failure. Proactively replacing them ensures that SCWA can meet surging demand without a risk of a well failure.
Also included is $43.4 million for distribution system improvements and the extension and replacement of water mains. SCWA actively targets water mains with frequent main breaks for replacements. By replacing water mains with newer, more durable material, the likelihood of repeated breaks is reduced, and customers can continue to enjoy reliable delivery of high-quality water.
Finally, SCWA is investing $3.9 million to replace older water meters that have reached the end of their lifespan and are beginning to fail. Additionally, the budget funds pilot programs to test the next generation of water meters. These new devices transmit data through cellular networks, eliminating the need for meter readers to travel the service territory collecting meter data. They also provide customers with hour-by-hour information on their water use—allowing them to detect leaks quickly and to get advanced metrics to allow them to conserve water. These new meters are not yet being rolled out to all customers, but the pilot programs funded in this budget bring SCWA closer to that step.
The new rate schedule takes effect on June 1, 2026.
About SCWA:
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, SCWA operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.
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