Community Engagement

Property owners on Perry Road/Route 39, Route 20a, Cone Road, New Road, Starr Road, Peoria Road, Covington Road, Jones Bridge Road and Gibsonville Road in the Town of Leicester have expressed an interest in brining water to that area. If you live in this area, click or scan the image below to complete the public water survey. The results of this survey will help inform the Town Board of interest in forming a water district which is the first step in bringing public water to the area.

Fact Sheet

Why Create a Water District?

A water district is a special use district required by Town Law where a specific area of the Town receives a specific benefit. The cost for receiving this benefit is borne solely on the property owners in that specific area.

 Public Costs

The “District” will be responsible for the construction of the water main and service connections within the public right-of-way. The capital costs associated with the “District” are paid for by the property owners in the district. The annual payment per unit is based on the amount of grants received, interest rate, and term of the loan from the funding agency.  The annual payment is included on your Town property tax bill.

Private Capital Costs

The service line from your property line to your house or business will cost between $15 and $20 per linear foot.  Additional costs will include internal plumbing and well abandonment, estimated to vary between $500 and $1,000.  Note these costs could be lower if you perform all or a portion of the work.   Commercial properties may be required to install a backflow prevention device.

 Water Costs

Each home or business owner will be responsible for their own water bill, based on the actual consumption and the water rate.  The water will be supplied by the LCWSA, at a tentative rate of $5.25 per 1,000 gallons along with base charge of $37 per quarter.  The typical single family residential home uses 50,000 gallons of water per year. Based on the water rates described above, the average annual cost per year for a single-family residential home is $420.

Total Annual Cost

The total annual cost includes the annual debt associated with the “District” portion of the capital cost and the cost of the water itself.   The actual amount will depend on the funding package that is received, the size of the district, and the amount of water the customer uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. If the proposed District moves forward, will we be required to connect to the public water?  Connection to the public water is optional and you will only pay for usage if you connect.
2. Will the annual debt service be charged regardless of hookup?  Yes, eligible property owners within the District will be required to pay the debt if they hookup or not.     
3. What are the anticipated water pressures?  The pressure will be between 45 and 95 psi, depending on the elevation of your home or business. 
4. Can I keep my private well?  You can keep your well, however this will require you to install a backflow prevention device, or separate plumbing if you connect to public water.
5. Will fire protection be provided and if yes, will my homeowners insurance cost go down?  Yes, fire hydrants will be located every 600 to 700 feet if the public chooses a scenario with fire protection.  Insurance companies typically do offer discounts, but the actual amount will vary. 
6. Will vacant parcels be required to pay debt service?  Only vacant parcels that can be developed, meaning the lot is sized appropriately per zoning or it is located outside of a NYS Certified Ag-District, will be charged a percentage of the debt service.