Research â Appendices and References
Appendices and References
Conservation-Oriented Residential Water Rate Design and Household Occupancy
An Investigative Review of New York's Regulatory Framework
List of Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used throughout this report.
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AWWA | American Water Works Association |
| CCF | Hundred Cubic Feet (water billing unit) |
| DEC | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
| DPS | New York State Department of Public Service |
| EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| IRWD | Irvine Ranch Water District |
| LVMWD | Las Virgenes Municipal Water District |
| PSC | New York State Public Service Commission |
| VEO | Veolia Water New York |
| LIB | Liberty Utilities (New York Water) Corp. |
Appendix A
Principal New York Regulatory Proceedings Examined
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Proceeding | Case | Primary Subject | Primary Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veolia Water New York | 23-W-0111 | Conservation-oriented residential rate plan; inclining block rates; conservation programs | 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10 |
| Liberty Utilities (New York Water) | 23-W-0235 | Threshold Analysis; conservation-oriented rate structure; Commission review | 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 |
The proceedings listed above constitute the principal New York regulatory sources examined throughout this report. Additional governmental publications, Department of Public Service materials, conservation guidance, and comparative utility documents are cited where relevant to support particular chapters.
Appendix B
Comparable Utility Programs Reviewed
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Utility | State | Administrative Topic | Primary Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) | California | Budget-based allocations; proof of permanent residency; District-specified reconfirmation | 6, 7 |
| Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) | California | Water-budget adjustments based on permanent-resident count; District review | 6, 7 |
| City of Boulder | Colorado | Household-size adjustments; audit and annual renewal | 6, 7 |
These utilities are presented solely as comparative examples illustrating documented administrative practices. They are not presented as legal precedent for New York, but as evidence that occupancy-based adjustments with utility review and, in some programs, documentary verification can be incorporated into conservation-oriented residential rate structures while preserving conservation objectives. Their inclusion demonstrates documented administrative feasibility rather than a recommendation that New York adopt any specific program design.
Appendix C
Principal Government and Industry References
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Organization | Principal Documents Used |
|---|---|
| New York State Public Service Commission | Veolia Order and Joint Proposal (23-W-0111); Liberty Order and Joint Proposal (23-W-0235) |
| New York State Department of Environmental Conservation | âWater Use & Conservationâ; âWater Conservation Requirementsâ; Water Conservation Manual |
| United States Environmental Protection Agency | WaterSense: âHow We Use Waterâ; âStatistics and Factsâ; âUnderstanding Your Water Billâ |
| American Water Works Association | Water Conservation ProgramsâA Planning Manual (Manual M52) |
| Water Research Foundation | Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2: Executive Report |
References
New York State Public Service Commission
New York State Public Service Commission. Order Adopting Joint Proposal as Modified and Establishing Rate Plan, Case 23-W-0111 (issued May 16, 2024).
New York State Public Service Commission. Joint Proposal, Case 23-W-0111 (filed January 4, 2024).
New York State Public Service Commission. Order Adopting Terms of Joint Proposal and Establishing Rate Plan, Case 23-W-0235 (issued August 15, 2024).
New York State Public Service Commission. Joint Proposal and Appendices, Case 23-W-0235 (filed May 31, 2024).
New York State Department of Public Service
New York State Department of Public Service. Staff statements, interrogatories, testimony, and related materials filed in Cases 23-W-0111 and 23-W-0235.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. âWater Use & Conservation.â
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. âWater Conservation Requirements.â
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A Survey of Methods for Implementing and Documenting Water Conservation in New York (Water Conservation Manual).
United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense. âHow We Use Water.â
United States Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense. âStatistics and Facts.â
United States Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense. âUnderstanding Your Water Bill.â
United States Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense. âStart Saving.â
American Water Works Association
American Water Works Association. Water Conservation ProgramsâA Planning Manual (Manual M52), 2nd ed. (2017).
American Water Works Association. Water Conservation for Small- and Medium-Sized Utilities.
Water Research Foundation
DeOreo, William B., et al. Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2: Executive Report. Water Research Foundation, Project 4309, Report 4309A, 2016.
Utility Publications
Liberty Utilities (New York Water) Corp.
Threshold Analysis Study 2024, filed in Case 23-W-0235 on December 27, 2024.
Joint Proposal supporting materials, Case 23-W-0235.
Tariff provisions.
Customer conservation materials.
Veolia Water New York
Joint Proposal, § XVIII, âConservation & Efficiency Program,â Case 23-W-0111 (dated January 4, 2024).
Tariff provisions.
Customer education publications.
Rate case filings.
Irvine Ranch Water District
âResidential Water Rates.â
âRequest A Water Variance.â
Rules and Regulations, §§ 12.7.1â12.7.2 (adopted June 9, 2025).
âPrivacy Policy.â
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
âWater Budgets.â
âWater Budget Adjustment Request.â
âPrivacy Policy.â
City of Boulder
City Manager Rule 11-1-3.A(21), âWater Budget Policy Overview and Review Process,â Attachment A.
âWater Budget Adjustment Application.â
âPrivacy Policy.â
Industry and Government Publications
Additional government publications, industry guidance, and utility documents cited throughout the report in support of residential water conservation, conservation-oriented rate design, household occupancy, administrative feasibility, and customer privacy.
Want to support this proposal?
If you'd like to support this proposal, you can easily send a message to your New York State legislators encouraging them to support an optional household-size adjustment.
When you click Take Action, you'll open a secure page where you can review and send a pre-written letter asking your New York State Senator and Assemblymember to support this proposal. Your ZIP code helps ensure the message reaches the correct legislators.
Take ActionSend a message to your New York State legislators.
Note: This campaign focuses on a proposal for Veolia Water New York customers in Rockland and Orange Counties.