New York City homeowners who want to challenge the amounts they are being billed for water usage and sewer fees may soon have some relief, thanks to legislation sponsored by Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights).

The legislation (A1374), which is currently being reviewed in committee in the New York State Assembly, would extend the amount of time a homeowner has to file a challenge to a sewer or water bill from four to a minimum of six years. The challenge period would commence on the bill date.

“Four years is simply not enough time to file a complaint with the New York City Water Board,” explained Assemblyman Colton. “Given the complicated billing formulas, and changing rates and regulations, as well as the fact that the normal statute of limitations applied to utility customers throughout New York State is six years, it only make sense that customers should have that period of time to dispute questionable charges.”

One issue that has come into play is the shift from billing based on frontage of a property to billing based on meter readings; also, says Assemblyman Colton, there is confusion around the Water Board’s leak forgiveness policy, which homeowners hit with high bills because of a leak may be able to tap into to help deal with the increased cost.

In addition, Assemblyman Colton notes that the four-year statute of limitations does not apply to the Water Board in its collection efforts. “To place this limitation on a customer is, therefore, extremely unfair,” Assemblyman Colton said.

The Senate version of the bill, S5603, passed the Senate in 2023.