Bill
S 4820
Bill S 4820 eliminates the minimum water charge in NYC, offering financial relief to low-usage consumers by adjusting bills to reflect actual water consumption.
Bill Number: S 4820
Title: Abolishes the minimum charge for the supply of water by the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and the New York City Water Board
Status: RECOMMIT, ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Classification: Bill
Bill S 4820 aims to eliminate the minimum charge imposed on water supply by the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and the New York City Water Board. The primary intent of this legislation is to provide financial relief to consumers, particularly those with lower water usage, by removing a fixed cost that may disproportionately affect them.
Abolition of Minimum Charge: The bill proposes to abolish the existing minimum charge for water supply, which currently requires all consumers to pay a baseline fee regardless of their actual water consumption.
Impact on Billing Structure: By removing this minimum charge, the billing structure for water services would be adjusted to reflect actual usage more accurately, potentially leading to lower bills for households and businesses that use less water.
Consumers: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be residential and commercial water users in New York City, especially those who consume less water and currently face a minimum charge.
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and Water Board: These entities would need to revise their billing practices and financial models to accommodate the removal of the minimum charge.
Introduced: The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, and referred to the Cities Committee for consideration.
Recent Actions: On May 27, 2025, the bill was recommitted, and the enacting clause was stricken, indicating that it may not proceed further in its current form.
This bill is part of a broader legislative context, with several related bills from prior sessions, including:
- S 1095
- S 6154
- S 1266
- S 4830
- S 3692
- S 2045
- A 1517 (companion bill)
These related bills may address similar issues or propose alternative solutions regarding water supply and billing practices in New York City.
Bill S 4820 represents an effort to reform water billing practices in New York City by eliminating the minimum charge for water supply. While it aims to provide financial relief to consumers, its recent legislative status indicates challenges in moving forward. The implications of this bill could significantly impact how water services are billed and accessed by residents and businesses alike.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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