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Rates & Info

District Water Rates

  • First 9,000 gallons: $38.00
  • Over 9,000 gallons: $3.80 per additional 1,000 gallons

As a municipal utility, our goal isn’t to make a profit, it’s to provide safe, reliable water at the lowest cost possible while meeting strict safety standards. 

Understanding how water rates are structured helps clarify the value behind every gallon delivered to your home. Beyond the water itself, your bill reflects the 24/7 technical operation required to maintain massive, hidden infrastructure and meet rising environmental standards.

Key Factors to Higher Water Costs

Several factors are currently putting upward pressure on water utility budgets nationwide, including right here in our District.

Meeting new health & safety regulations
The standards for “clean water” are constantly evolving. New federal and state mandates, such as stricter limits on PFAS and new requirements for lead service line inventories, requires us to implement more advanced (and more expensive) testing and filtration technologies.

Modernizing our Treatment Plants
We have built two new treatment plants within the past five years costing more than $10 Million.

Rising Cost of Operations
Just like your household budget, the “cost of doing business” for the Franklin Square Water District has increased significantly.

  • Electricity – It takes a tremendous amount of electricity to run these state-of-the-art treatment plants and pumps.
  • Treatment Chemicals – The cost of essential water cleaning chemicals, such as Chlorine and Caustic Soda, has seen sharp market increases.
  • Specialized Materials – The prices of water mains, valves, meters, and fire hydrants have all drastically increased in price, impacting our budget.        

Take Control of Your Bill : Proactive Steps for Residents

Managing your water bill is about more than just usage; it’s about staying informed and catching small issues before they become big expenses. Most high bills are caused by leaks that you do not hear or see. Here are the best ways to stay proactive:

  • The Toilet Dye Test: Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank (do not flush). If color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, you have a leak that could be wasting hundreds of gallons per day.
  • Check the Meter: Turn off all water in your house and look at your water meter. If the small dial is still moving, you have a leak somewhere in your home. 

Other steps you can take in your home to lower your water bill: 

  • Wait for Full Loads: Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they are completely full to maximize the value of every gallon used.
  • Water Early or Late: Water your lawn before 9:00 AM or after 7:00 PM to minimize evaporation from the sun and wind.
  • Check Sprinkler Heads: Ensure your sprinklers are watering your lawn, not your sidewalk or driveway. A single broken sprinkler head can waste thousands of gallons in a single season.
  • Use Mulch: Applying a 2–4-inch layer of mulch in garden beds helps retain soil moisture, reducing the frequency you need to water.

If you notice an unexplained spike in your bill, don’t wait for the next cycle. Contact our office at 516-354-0780 or info@fswd.org immediately so we can help you troubleshoot the cause and get 90 days’ worth of data off your smart meter.