The Old Westbury Board of Trustees voted to increase its water rates Monday to safeguard residents and maintain the distribution system.

The new rates are $185 minimum for the first 100,000 gallons consumed; $4.50 per thousand for the next 300,000; $5.75 per thousand for the next 400,000; and $7.25 per thousand for the usage of over 800,000. In 2020, the village similarly raised its rates.

The minimum rate charged for the first 100,000 gallons used by a property owner is unaffected by the new rates. According to the law, the hike should ensure that larger institutional users cover their fair share of water usage costs.

The village said expenses for water-related purposes have grown, causing the new rates. This is based on the costs of employment, municipal compliance, maintaining, improving, testing and safeguarding the water distribution system.

The board determined that the rates need to be changed in order to safeguard the health, welfare and security of residents, as well as to permit water distribution and system development. In addition, Mayor Edward Novick said the adjustments were necessary to balance the village budget and continue to provide services to residents.

“The Water Department historically has always been a source of funding for the general fund of the village. It goes back many, many years,” he said. “The reality is money has been swept from the Water Department into the general fund for many, many years just as the Building Department makes significant amounts of profits and fees for the offsetting of the expenses of the municipality itself.”

The new measure will go into effect as soon as the village files it with the Secretary of State.

Old Westbury’s next Board of Trustees meeting will be on Oct. 17. It will be at Village Hall at 7 p.m.