NYC-WTC_000195490

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

As required by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYC Water Board, the number of unmetered accounts has diminished each year as the Department progresses towards its goal of universally metering all properties; The major goals of universal metering include water conservation, improved water supply system management and rate equity. Owners of 43,000 unmetered properties were issued $188.0 million in surcharges on July 1, 2000. Owners of properties that still have not taken steps to have meters installed will continue to be billed surcharges as part of their annual flat rate bills.

DEP has made significant progress in improving the quality of its water and sewer bills. The percentage of metered bills based On estimated consumption has been reduced from 42 percent to about 17 percent over the past 4.5 years. It is anticipated that DEP’s plan to contract for meter reading services City-wide will further reduce the rate of estimated bills. Since customers are more likely to pay bills based on actual consumption, these improvements will continue to help DEP meet its collection targets each year.

The Departirient has expanded the use of private contactors to read water meters. After successfully / privatizing meter reading in Staten Island and the Bronx, the Department plans to expand the program Citywide , during 2002. , /

The Department’s outreach program continues to offer communities an opportunity to have local meetings during which customers can speak directly with customer service representatives about their water and sewer bills, have inspections performed and billing adjustments made, and learn about water conservation. The meeting.s target customers from particular communities and focus on the needs of groups of customers with common concerns and interests including the needs of owners and managers of multiple dwellings, co-ops, and condos and non-English speaking customers.

DEPhas improved convenience for customers paying their water and sewer bills by entering into an agreement with privately operated Neighborhood Payment Centers (NPCs). Previously, customers could pay by check or money order a,t one of the Department’s five borough offices or by mailing their payments to a “lockbox”. Now they can rriake payments by cash, check, or money order at NPCs. There are currently over 400 NPCs processing watefrsewer payments. '

DEP has enhanced the capabilities of its interactive Voice Response (IVR) system so that customers now hear key information about their accounts including current balance due, payment received, and data from their last meter reading. In addition, customers may now view current charges, payments and bills for the last year on the City’s NYCServe Website. During 2002 NYCServe will be enhanced to allow customers to pay their water iand sewer bills on line with an electronic check or credit card. '1. , A i The Department’s conservation progfams will also conduct 12,000 annual surveys for water leaks on customers’ properties and supply low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators at no cost to its customers. Where leaks are detected and promptly corrected, customers may qualify for a “forgiveness” program that reduces increased charges caused by the leaks. The program was recently expanded to service both residential and 5 commercial properties.

' EnvironmeMal Compliance I

The Bureau of Environmental Compliance responds to hazardous material emergencies, maintains a Citywide database of facilities containing hazardous materials under its Right-to-Know Program (RTK), monitors emissions and environmental impacts from alternative fuel vehicles, inspects in-progress asbestos abatements for all City- owned properties, iiivestigates air quality and noise complaints, maintains four air monitoring stations on Staten Island, and assists environmental economic development. i

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