New DEP Rule Could Lead to Massive Fines – Here's How to Protect Your Building

We wanted to give you a quick heads up about a new rule from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that could seriously impact your buildings.

Starting July 1, 2025, the DEP is enforcing a new “Billing Interference” regulation.

Here’s what you need to know—and why we’re concerned:

• Massive Fines, Even for Honest Mistakes: DEP can now issue huge penalties if they believe your water meter isn’t working properly. And we mean huge—we recently helped a client recover $1.3 million in overcharges on a single building.
  
• You Can Be Blamed Easily: DEP doesn’t need strong proof. Things as small as a broken seal or a meter being in the wrong location could be considered “interference.”
  
• Hard to Appeal: Once a fine is issued, it’s extremely difficult to fight back. DEP controls the entire process.
  
• Surprise Inspections: In some cases, DEP can show up without warning and enter your property.
  
• Liens on Your Property: If you don’t pay the charges, DEP can place a lien on your building—even if the issue was caused by a tenant or contractor.

What Should You Do?

✔️ Let DEP inspectors access your meters. Never say no.
✔️ Make sure your meters are installed correctly and in good condition.
✔️ Get a water bill audit if your charges seem too high.

Ashokan’s team is here to help. We can inspect your meters to make sure they meet DEP standards, and we offer expert water bill audits to detect errors and recover overcharges—last week we recovered 1,3 million in ACC charges..

With real-time usage data, leak alerts, tenant billing tools, and compliance tracking — AquaSync gives you the insights and control to manage rising water costs and stay DEP-compliant.

Contact us If you'd like help reviewing your backflow compliance, installing AquaSync, or checking your metering setup.