At its last meeting the board of the Water Authority of Western Nassau County approved a 17.65 percent decrease in water rates after approving the 1998/1999 Operating Plan and Capital Plan.

The new rates go into effect on June 1, 1998 and follow two previously introduced rate decreases of 11.49 percent effective May 29, 1996 and 22.19 percent effective June 1, 1997. The rate decrease includes the complete elimination of taxes from rates as well as other operating efficiencies experienced at the Water Authority.

As a result of these rate changes the average annual residential bill is reduced from the 1996 Jamaica Water Supply Company level of $454 to approximately $256 as a Water Authority customer. The quarterly minimum charge is now reduced to $24.53 from the $45 per quarter previously charged by Jamaica Water Supply Company.