Rising water rates, denial of access rekindle dispute between Williston Park, East Williston
A water tower in Williston Park, which recently raised its water rates 33% to help pay for a new filtration system. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
Williston Park's mayor has barred East Williston's mayor from accessing his village's water facilities, the latest development in a long-running feud between the two communities over water cost and quality.
Earlier this month, East Williston Mayor Bonnie Parente asked Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar for permission to access the facilities.
East Williston has long purchased its water from Williston Park, which recently raised its water rates 33% to help pay for a new filtration system. The system would be used to help Williston Park comply with federal regulations requiring drinking water to contain a maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion of PFAS chemicals by 2029.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals." They can be found in household items and have contaminated Long Island's water.
Parente wanted to hire an engineer to conduct a study to determine if there are cheaper alternatives to the estimated $29.5 million filtration system, set to be installed by 2029.
Ehrbar denied Parente’s request, he said in an interview.
“We don’t believe the need for them to go into the facility to study the water issue,” Ehrbar said. “The filtration system is unconnected to what we have now. It really has no impact, in my engineer’s mind, that would necessitate them actually looking at the system.”
He suggested Parente’s team could review previous water reports and analyses.
“We think they only have considered one method of coming to compliance, and that that method is exceptionally costly, and maybe overkill for what the issue is,” Parente said in an interview. “The only way for us to know that is for us to engage an engineer to review whether there are other options.”
In Williston Park, the rate for households using 10,000 gallons or fewer will be $68.40, up from $51.40. For residents who exceed 10,000 gallons, it will rise an additional $6.84 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.14. And when water use exceeds 50,000 gallons, households will pay an additional $7.13 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.36.
In East Williston, the rate will rise from $6.79 per thousand gallons for the first 100,000 gallons used to $9.03 per thousand, and from $7.04 per thousand gallons for over 100,000 gallons to $9.36 per thousand gallons.
Parente said some East Williston residents on social media have suggested the village build its own well. She said that would likely cause financial distress to Williston Park.
“We’re not looking to punish Williston Park, we’re looking to work with them,” Parente said. “It’s unfathomable to me that Williston Park wouldn’t want to be working with the residents and board of East Williston to come up with a better solution.”
She added: “The fact that they think their first and most expensive solution is the best and only solution is irresponsible.”
Ehrbar said his team of engineers has already considered possible alternative treatments, but it was determined the current plan is “the most viable, cost effective means” to bring the village into federal compliance.
The villages’ feud over water dates back decades. They signed an exclusive water sale agreement in 2016, ending the public back-and-forth — until now.
“In my opinion, economies of scale are always paramount, and intermunicipal agreements are supposed to work,” Parente said.
Williston Park's mayor has barred East Williston's mayor from accessing his village's water facilities, the latest development in a long-running feud between the two communities over water cost and quality.
Earlier this month, East Williston Mayor Bonnie Parente asked Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar for permission to access the facilities.
East Williston has long purchased its water from Williston Park, which recently raised its water rates 33% to help pay for a new filtration system. The system would be used to help Williston Park comply with federal regulations requiring drinking water to contain a maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion of PFAS chemicals by 2029.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals." They can be found in household items and have contaminated Long Island's water.
Parente wanted to hire an engineer to conduct a study to determine if there are cheaper alternatives to the estimated $29.5 million filtration system, set to be installed by 2029.
Ehrbar denied Parente’s request, he said in an interview.
“We don’t believe the need for them to go into the facility to study the water issue,” Ehrbar said. “The filtration system is unconnected to what we have now. It really has no impact, in my engineer’s mind, that would necessitate them actually looking at the system.”
He suggested Parente’s team could review previous water reports and analyses.
“We think they only have considered one method of coming to compliance, and that that method is exceptionally costly, and maybe overkill for what the issue is,” Parente said in an interview. “The only way for us to know that is for us to engage an engineer to review whether there are other options.”
In Williston Park, the rate for households using 10,000 gallons or fewer will be $68.40, up from $51.40. For residents who exceed 10,000 gallons, it will rise an additional $6.84 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.14. And when water use exceeds 50,000 gallons, households will pay an additional $7.13 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.36.
In East Williston, the rate will rise from $6.79 per thousand gallons for the first 100,000 gallons used to $9.03 per thousand, and from $7.04 per thousand gallons for over 100,000 gallons to $9.36 per thousand gallons.
Parente said some East Williston residents on social media have suggested the village build its own well. She said that would likely cause financial distress to Williston Park.
“We’re not looking to punish Williston Park, we’re looking to work with them,” Parente said. “It’s unfathomable to me that Williston Park wouldn’t want to be working with the residents and board of East Williston to come up with a better solution.”
She added: “The fact that they think their first and most expensive solution is the best and only solution is irresponsible.”
Ehrbar said his team of engineers has already considered possible alternative treatments, but it was determined the current plan is “the most viable, cost effective means” to bring the village into federal compliance.
The villages’ feud over water dates back decades. They signed an exclusive water sale agreement in 2016, ending the public back-and-forth — until now.
“In my opinion, economies of scale are always paramount, and intermunicipal agreements are supposed to work,” Parente said.
Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
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