Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick Continues the Fight for Affordable Water on Long Island

Many Long Island residents are experiencing exorbitant costs on their water utility bills, and I want to provide you with an update on what I am doing to address this critical issue. 

Privately owned water-works corporations pay a “special franchise” tax that is required by the state and passed directly onto residents through their water bill, resulting in higher water bills for consumers. Water is a necessity, and because certain residents cannot choose public water as their provider, it unfairly increases water utility bills for the New Yorkers who must utilize a private water company

To combat this, I have introduced Senate Bill 3175, legislation aimed at lowering water bills by excluding privately owned water-works corporations - such as Liberty Water - from the Special Franchise Tax (SFT). This would eliminate the state-mandated tax from your overall water service charge, which can account for more than 30% of customers’ water bills.

As I continue through the 2025 Legislative Session, it is essential that we continue to push for this legislation to ensure its benefits are realized for our community.