In spite of hearings with the Public Service Commission initiated by Senator Fuschillo and myself, they have failed to get the message from the thousands of customers who attended the hearing and or wrote to them opposing their approval for this rate increase.

As an Aqua customer I feel it is almost criminal that Aqua continues to charge exorbitant rates while our neighbors pay much less than half of what we pay. That is why I applaud the Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay as they continue to explore the reactivation of the Water Authority of Southeastern Nassau County.

The customers of Aqua cannot afford this rate increase, and I will be actively working with my fellow public officials toward a solution that benefits all of the residents with the goal of providing affordable water.