Resolution calling on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to offer standard monthly water service billing for its water service customers in order to reduce leak detection time and the funds required for leak forgiveness

Res. No. 1180

Resolution calling on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to offer standard monthly water service billing for its water service customers in order to reduce leak detection time and the funds required for leak forgiveness

By Council Members Greenfield, Cohen, Richards and Chin

Whereas, The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides more than 1.1 billion gallons of water to more than 9 million residents each day; and

Whereas, Leaks can occur within DEP’s water system or on private property; and

Whereas, DEP offers a leak notification program to customers to detect when potential leak events occur; and

Whereas, There are roughly 247,000 customers enrolled in DEP’s leak notification program, including all single-family properties in New York City; and

Whereas, DEP sends out notices to those customers whenever a leak is detected; and

Whereas, DEP offers a leak forgiveness program to provide financial relief to customers suffering from leaks while also incentivizing water conservation; and

Whereas, DEP has already offered leak forgiveness to 2,152 accounts in Fiscal Year 2016; and

Whereas, The cost of such leak forgiveness has amounted to roughly $2.2 million; and

Whereas, DEP supports expedient leak detection, remediation and reduction; and

Whereas, DEP offers quarterly billing as a standard option to its customers; and

Whereas, Monthly billing is offered to DEP customers only via an opt-in process; and

Whereas, Leaks may occur between quarterly billing periods and may not be detected until the end of a billing period; and

Whereas, Standardizing monthly billing could shorten the detection time for leaks; and

Whereas, Shortening leak detection time could reduce the amount DEP is required to pay in leak forgiveness; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to standardize monthly billing for its water service customers in order to reduce leak detection time and the funds required for leak forgiveness.

ARP

LS 6494

8/2/16 4:12 PM