Proceeding on Motion to Examine United Water NY Inc's Development of a new water supply source to satisfy Rockland County’s long-term water supply requirements.

The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) held two public statement hearings each preceded by an informational forum to examine the continuing need for development of a new water supply source by United Water New York, Inc., as described below. During the informational forums, UWNY provided a brief summary of its report, filed on August 19, 2013 (see Background, below).  The public had an opportunity for informal discussion with Staff and UWNY before the start of each public statement hearing session.  During the public statement hearings, members of the public had an opportunity to present their comments before an Administrative Law Judge.  

The Public Statement hearings were held on October 1, 2013 at Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack, NY and on October 2, 2013 at Haverstraw Elementary School in Haverstraw, NY.

All statements transcribed at the public statement hearings and all other comments received by the Commission become part of the record, and are reported to the Commission for its consideration.  All such comments are posted for public viewing on the Commission’s website, at www.dps.ny.gov.

Background

On July 19, 2013 the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) instituted a proceeding to examine the continuing need for United Water New York’s (UWNY’s) development of a new water supply source to satisfy Rockland County’s long-term water supply requirements.

UWNY is a private investor-owned water company that provides drinking water and water for fire protection to the residents and businesses in Rockland County, excluding the Villages of Suffern, Nyack and South Nyack.  UWNY serves a small portion of Orange County in parts of the Towns of Tuxedo, Warwick and Monroe.  The company supplies water service to 73,000 customers of record in Rockland County; it serves approximately 87 percent of the county residents.

In compliance with an order issued by the Commission in 2006, UWNY has developed a plan for meeting long-term demand, projected at that time to exceed supply by the end of 2015.  UWNY’s leading proposal is a desalination facility in Haverstraw, Rockland County.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is in the process of evaluating that request against other alternatives.

The Commission has directed UWNY to file a report containing the most recent information relating to projected demand and the need to secure a new water supply source in Rockland County.  The Company filed this report on August 19, 2013.

Other Methods for Commenting on the Case

Via the Internet or In Writing:

• Those who cannot or do not wish to attend a public statement hearing may submit comments electronically to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at [email protected] or by mail or delivery to Secretary Burgess at the Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments may also be entered directly into the case by locating the case via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search,” and entering 13-W-0303 in the “Search by Case Number” field.  In the open case, enter comments in the “Post Comments” located at the top of the page. Comments should refer to “Case 13-W-0303 – UWNY – Haverstraw Project.”  Many libraries offer free internet service.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: 

• Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s toll-free Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This line is set up to receive in-state calls 24-hours a day.  Callers should press “1” and select the choice for water to leave comments about “Case 13-W-0303 – UWNY – Haverstraw Project.”

Comments submitted via these alternative means are requested by October 18, 2013.

For more information, and a copy of the Case Fact Sheet, click here.

For a copy of the Press Release, click here.