Estimated bills made up 28.3% of New York City's water bills in FY 2026, the year to June 30, 2026, against a target of 4.0% set by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
A device swap under way
DEP had replaced over 300,000 automated meter reading devices by July 2026 and was replacing about 30,000 more a month. It expects FY 2026 to be the high point for estimated billing. DEP named Aclara and SAKS, with its own technicians, to carry out the upgrades, and in February 2026 DEP published an award of US$16.5 million over 730 days to Maximum Plumbing–VEPO Metering NYC JV for meters and transmission units in Queens.
Collections held up
Collections beat target in the same year. DEP collected US$4,806.0 million in FY 2026, 104.5% of its target. Receivables more than 180 days delinquent, however, grew to US$1,239 million. DEP bills and collects on about 838,000 water and sewer accounts.
Rates still rising
The Water Board adopted a 6.0% increase for FY 2027, taking the typical single-family charge from US$1,224 to US$1,297 a year. S&P cites projections of 7.7% a year from FY 2028 to FY 2030.
The brief sets out DEP's spending and financing, its regulatory pressures, the 15 large construction bids in its lookahead, how contracts are bought, who holds the major work, and a watch list for suppliers. The full report, New York City Department of Environmental Protection: Utility Account Brief, is available for USD 499 at https://ourfuturewaterintelligence.com/reports/new-york-city-department-of-environmental-protection-utility-account-brief. For a free overview, read the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Utility Snapshot at https://ourfuturewaterintelligence.com/utilities/new-york-city-department-of-environmental-protection.