Westchester Joint Water Works: 2024 Guide to Service Area, Rates, and Water Quality

Table of Contents#

1. What Is Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW)?
2. WJWW Service Area Breakdown
3. 2024 WJWW Water Rates: Full Breakdown
4. WJWW Water Quality: Testing, Standards, and Recent Results
5. Frequently Asked Questions About WJWW
6. References

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What Is Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW)?#

Founded in 1927, WJWW is a public, member-governed water utility with no private shareholders, meaning 100% of revenue from customer bills is reinvested into infrastructure maintenance, water testing, and system upgrades. Unlike private water companies that prioritize profit, WJWW’s core mission is to deliver reliable, low-cost drinking water that meets or exceeds state and federal health standards.

WJWW purchases 98% of its bulk water supply from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)’s protected Catskill/Delaware Watershed system, one of only 5 large unfiltered water supplies in the U.S. approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The remaining 2% of supply comes from local emergency wells for use during peak summer demand or system repairs.

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WJWW Service Area Breakdown#

WJWW provides water to 17 Westchester County municipalities, split between full and partial service coverage. To confirm if your address is covered, you can use the official WJWW address lookup tool or check your existing water bill for the WJWW logo.

Full Service Communities#

WJWW is the exclusive water provider for:

• Ardsley
• Dobbs Ferry
• Elmsford
• Hastings-on-Hudson
• Irvington
• Larchmont
• Mamaroneck Town
• Mamaroneck Village
• Pelham
• Pelham Manor
• Port Chester
• Rye Brook
• Scarsdale
• Tarrytown

Partial Service Communities#

WJWW serves select neighborhoods in:

• Mount Pleasant
• New Castle
• White Plains
• Yonkers

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2024 WJWW Water Rates: Full Breakdown#

WJWW rates are approved annually by its board of directors following public hearings, and are set to cover bulk water purchase costs, system maintenance, testing, and planned infrastructure upgrades. All rates listed below are effective as of January 1, 2024.

Residential Rates (Single-Family & Multi-Family Homes)#

Residential billing uses a tiered, conservation-focused structure that charges higher rates for excess water use:

Average Residential Bill Example#

The average WJWW single-family home uses 12,000 gallons of water per quarter, leading to a total quarterly bill of ~$103.71:

• 3 months of base service: $51.75
• 10,000 gallons Tier 1 usage: $41.20
• 2,000 gallons Tier 2 usage: $10.76

Commercial Rates#

Commercial rates use a flat usage fee, with base fees varying by meter size:

Note: Sewer fees are billed separately by your local municipality, and are not included in WJWW water bills.

Financial Assistance Programs#

WJWW offers support for low-income customers to avoid service disruptions:

1. Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIWAP): Eligible households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can receive up to $300 per year in bill credits.
2. Flexible Payment Plans: No-interest payment plans are available for all customers facing temporary financial hardship.
3. Winter Shutoff Protection: No service shutoffs for eligible low-income households between November 1 and April 15 each year.

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WJWW Water Quality: Testing, Standards, and Recent Results#

WJWW conducts over 15,000 water quality tests annually for more than 200 regulated contaminants, including lead, bacteria, PFAS, pesticides, and microplastics. All test results are published in a free annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) every June.

Treatment Process#

Before water reaches customer taps, WJWW adds three regulated, safe additives to protect public health:

1. Chlorine (1.0 – 2.0 mg/L): Disinfects water to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, well below the EPA maximum limit of 4.0 mg/L.
2. Fluoride (0.7 mg/L): Added at the CDC-recommended level to support dental health for children and adults.
3. Corrosion inhibitors: Reduce leaching of lead and copper from older household plumbing built before 1986.

2023 Water Quality Test Key Findings#

All contaminants tested in 2023 were below EPA and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs):

• Lead: No lead detected in WJWW source water. Any lead found in customer taps comes from private household plumbing; WJWW offers free lead test kits to all customers upon request, and runs a partial grant program for low-income homeowners to replace lead service lines.
• PFAS: Total PFAS levels measured at 2.1 parts per trillion (ppt), well below the new NYS MCL of 10 ppt that goes into effect in 2025.
• Bacteria (E. coli, coliform): Zero positive tests across the entire distribution system in 2023.

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Frequently Asked Questions About WJWW#

1. How do I set up a new WJWW water account?#

You can apply for a new account online via the WJWW customer portal, or call customer service at (914) 693-0600. You will need to provide your full address, proof of ownership or lease agreement, and a government-issued ID.

2. What should I do if I notice discolored water?#

Run cold water from your lowest tap for 2-3 minutes. Discoloration is almost always caused by temporary system flushing (conducted twice yearly in spring and fall) and is safe to use. If discoloration persists, contact WJWW immediately to schedule a free water test.

3. Can I pay my WJWW bill online?#

Yes, you can pay via credit/debit card, bank transfer, or set up auto-pay through the WJWW customer portal to avoid late fees. Late fees are 1.5% of the unpaid balance, charged after 30 days past the due date.

4. How often does WJWW upgrade its pipe system?#

WJWW replaces 5-10 miles of aging water mains every year, and has a 10-year capital improvement plan to replace 75 miles of pipes by 2032 to reduce leaks and service disruptions.

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References#

1. Westchester Joint Water Works Official Website. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.wjww.org
2. 2023 WJWW Consumer Confidence Report. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.wjww.org/water-quality/consumer-confidence-reports/
3. New York State Department of Health. (2024). Public Drinking Water Supply Standards. Retrieved from https://health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/standards/
4. NYC Department of Environmental Protection. (2024). Catskill/Delaware Watershed Protection Program. Retrieved from https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/watershed-protection.page