Water rates in the Plainview Water District have been held constant for three years, despite increasing costs of energy, major infrastructure protection costs and water quality testing. However, stricter environmental, security regulations and water quality standards, Water District capital improvement project costs, as well as the heavy burden the Water District bore during last summer's severe drought conditions, have resulted in a minimal rate increase. The new rates, effective January 1, 2003 are as follows:

Old Rate	New Rate	Gallons Used Quarterly
($6 minimum)	($6.50 minimum)	(Up to 10,000 gallons)
$0.95 per 1000 gallons	$1.05 per 1,000 gallons	Up to 10,000 to 40,000 gallons
$1.20 per 1,000 gallons	$1.30 per 1,000 gallons	40,000 gallons to 100,000 gallons
$1.65 per 1,000 gallons	$1.90 per 1,000 gallons	Over 100,000 gallons

According the Paul Granger, superintendent of the Plainview Water District, the increase for a Plainview-Old Bethpage homeowner is approximately $13.19 a year, or approximately $1.10 per month. The Board of Commissioners of the Plainview Water District is committed to providing its residents with the highest quality and fairly priced water, while ensuring complete compliance with all state and federal environmental regulations.