South Huntington Water District
Who Pays?
The South Huntington Water District serves 18,000 ratepayers across Huntington Station and Melville. When the district expands infrastructure to support new development — hundreds of new residential units currently proposed — existing customers pay for it through higher rates, a dedicated surcharge, and their property tax bill.
This site compiles public records so ratepayers can see the full picture.
⚠️ Public Hearing — March 19, 2026
The Town of Huntington Planning Board is holding a public hearing on the proposed Melville Crossing development at 75 Maxess Road — 400 residential units that would draw over 116,000 gallons of water per day from the district’s system.
What you need to know
What the Average Ratepayer Pays
| Annual Cost | |
| Water usage charges | ~$202 |
| 1,4-Dioxane surcharge | ~$100 |
| Property tax (SHWD portion) | ~$255 |
| Total | ~$557/year |
The dioxane surcharge — $25 per quarter — has been in place since 2021 to fund remediation of a contaminant the district did not create. That cost falls entirely on existing ratepayers.
Full cost breakdown
By the Numbers
– $16.8M → $26.3M** — Bond debt growth from 2017 to 2024 (+57%)
– $4.58M — New bonds issued in 2024 alone
– $32.7M — Total debt service remaining through 2038
– $73,975 — Developer system construction fees collected in 2024
– $0 — Developer construction charges budgeted for 2026
– $236,658 — Reserve funds the district will draw in 2026 (first deficit year)
– 400 units — Proposed at 75 Maxess Road alone
All figures from SHWD audited financial statements and adopted budgets.
What’s Being Proposed
Several large residential developments are currently in the approval pipeline within the district’s service area:
Melville Crossing — 75 Maxess Road
400 units · 116,000+ gallons/day estimated demand · Public hearing March 19, 2026
Gateway South
65 units · ZBA approved · ~19,500 gallons/day estimated
New York Avenue Sewer Project
$66M public sewer extension along Route 110 in Huntington Station — enables higher-density development throughout the corridor. Completion: late 2027.
Full development watch
New York Avenue project details
Source Documents
Every claim on this site is backed by a public document. All financial statements and budgets are self-hosted here — no links to SHWD.org required.
– 2024 Audited Financial Statements
– 2023 Audited Financial Statements
– 2026 Adopted Budget
– Melville Crossing Environmental Assessment
All documents
Make Your Voice Heard
The March 19, 2026 public hearing is open to all residents. Written comments are also accepted.
– Attend the hearing — Town of Huntington Planning Board, 100 Main St, Huntington
– Submit written comments — Town Clerk: 631-351-3206
– Contact the Planning Department — 631-351-3196
Full contact list and comment guide
Disclaimer: The information on this site is drawn entirely from publicly available documents including audited financial statements and adopted budgets. Nothing on this site alleges or implies illegal conduct by any person or entity. Our purpose is to inform ratepayers, not to accuse.
*shwdaware.com is an independent community information resource. It is not affiliated with the South Huntington Water District or the Town of Huntington. Contact: contact@shwdaware.com