Summary
Riverhead Water District rates are going up: Tier 1 to $2.05/1,000 gallons, Tier 2 to $3.25, service charges up $1, plus a new $100/month penalty for skipping required backflow device inspections. The district lost a $300,000 cell tower lease and wants to wean itself off cell revenue for operations. Rates remain below Suffolk County Water Authority's.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Feb 26, 2026.
Impact analysis
Typical heavy users will pay more — a 1" meter using 100,000 gallons per quarter would rise from $248.50 to $282, still below SCWA's $314.43.
Low-use households see minimal impact, and all customers benefit from rates that stay below SCWA's while funding tank maintenance and staff retention.
Large summer irrigators and anyone who skips their annual backflow inspection face higher bills.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Town Board Work Session - Feb 26, 2026
Riverhead Water District rates are going up: Tier 1 to $2.05/1,000 gallons, Tier 2 to $3.25, service charges up $1, plus a new $100/month penalty for skipping required backflow device inspections. The district lost a $300,000 cell tower lease and wants to wean itself off cell revenue for operations. Rates remain below Suffolk County Water Authority's.
Town Board - Feb 18, 2026
Resident Martin Sendlewski told the board the water district's map-and-plan fees may exceed what town code allows, citing a court ruling against similar tap-in fees, and asked that the newly retained water district counsel's first task be a legality review.
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