Water Rate Increases have been in the news repeatedly over the years but recently much more frequently I have come across constant increases in both water rates and sewer rates to offset utility infrastructure projects, utility debt, to help utilities repay loans and secure new water sources. A few of the water rate increase I have come across in the last month are below: (So you are not the only one)
1%-15% Rate Increase:
- Cassville, WI 1.7% Increase
- Federalsburg, MD 3% increase
- Scotts Valley, CA. 3% increase over the next year.
- Sealy, ND. 3% Increase
- Gahanna, OH3.3% Increase
- Spokane, WA3.5% Increase within a year
- Lexington, MA 3.6% increase
- Lancaster, Ca4.1% increase per year for the next five years
- Perrysburg, OH 4.7% Increase
- East Lyme, CT 5% water 3.5% by Nov.1
- Des Moines, IA 5% Increase
- Lakeland, FL 5% Increase
- Solvang, CA 5.25% increase by Nov. 29
- Westerville, OH 6.1% increase by 2015
- North Smithfield, RI 7% Increase this year
- Rio Rancho, NM 7.8% Increase
- Santa Clara, CA. 6% increase in potable water from $2.99 per HCF to $3.17 per HCF. Recycled water rates increased by 8% -> Irrigation customers primarily affected. Sewer rates increased from $24.54 per month to $29.20 per month.
- Rome, NY 9% increase
- Toledo, OH 9% Increase
- Scituate, MA 10% Increase
- Franklin, MA 10% increase
- Franklin, TN 10% increase
- Menlo Park, CA. Increased 11.9% annual water rate since the beginning of 2006/07 allowing the city to keep pace mostly with rising cost of wholesale water from SFPUC.
- Yelm, WA 12.4% increase by 2020
- Nashville, TN 12.75% increase effective Nov.1
- Hillsboro, Ca 15% Increase
- South Pasadena, CA water rates will increase 15% each year since 2009.
16%-40% Rate Increase:
- Foster City, CA. On July 1, 2012 SFPUC notified EMID that it will increase the wholesale rate for water from $2.63 / ccf to $2.95 / ccf. Representing a 12% increase. EMID must respond to this increase by increasing its base consumption rate to $3.13 / ccf, which represents an 18% increase in consumption charges to its customers effective July 1, 2012. Fixed meter charges, however, will be decreased by 10% from their current rates.
- Upshur, VA 20% Increase
- Plymouth, MA. 21% increase
- San Jose, CA.21% increase within the next year and 44% increase over the next three years (Taking residential bills from $65 to $93)
- Visalia, CA 25.3% Increase
- Joplin, Missouri 25.5% Increase
- Sistersville, VA 27% increase
- Brandon, MS Increased 27% since 2000
- Boiling Springs, PA 27% increase
- Lafayette, CA29% Increase
- Madison, MS Increased 30% since 2000
- Oolitic, IN 32% Increase
- Jackson, MS 35% increase in first year of use
- Scituate, MA 10% Increase expected to increase to 35% increase
41%-60% Rate Increase:
- Ashland, CA 41% Increase
- English Mountain, TN 48% Increase
61%-80% Rate Increase:
- Clinton, MS increased 77% since 2000
81%-100% Rate Increase:
- Travis County, TX 95.9% water and wastewater rate increase for the initial increase then withdrew their rate increase application and implemented a 13.2% water rate increase
101%-200% Rate Increase:
- Jackson, MS increased 110% since 2000
- Waikoloa, HI 120% water 142% sewer
- Atwater, CA 150% increase over the course of 5 years
- Stockport, NY271% Increase