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Suffolk County Considers Public Takeover Of High-Priced Nassau County Water System

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The Suffolk County Water Authority has proposed to create a new public entity to provide water for Nassau County in an attempt to cut high consumer bills.

The new Nassau County Water Authority would take over the current system that is run by a private company, New York American Water.

The company is known for its high water costs, starting at $719 a year. The authority said if they operated the Nassau system, the annual fee could start at $450.

State regulators will also consider a $608 million proposal to buy New York American Water from Liberty Utilities, another private company.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed regulators to produce a feasibility study to assess how a public takeover of the water system would reduce customer costs.

The study is expected to be released in April.