Suffolk Water Authority approves 3.77% rate hike

Your water bill could be going up in Suffolk County.
The Suffolk County Water Authority announced Thursday it will be hiking water rates starting June 1.
Residential water rates will be going up from $2.028 per 1,000 gallons to $2.119. In addition, the quarterly service charge jumped from $27.91 to $29.17. A $20 water quality fee will remain the same.
The hike will increase average bills by about 3.77% or $1.56 per month.
The water authority says it needs the increase to help pay for infrastructure improvements, treatment costs and supply costs.
In addition, the water authority says it will be starting a balanced billing program that will hopefully even out bills throughout the year. The authority's hope is customers won't see the large spikes at certain points of the year.