Sewer Rates
The 18-year series of improvements to improve the City’s wastewater treatment plant and sewer system is expected to cost more than $500 million. Funding for the program has come from an incremental increase of sanitary sewer rates for the duration of the program. Rate increases began in 2003 for the first four years at 9.75% per year through 2006. Rate increases for 2007 through 2011 were 9.9% per year. Increases each year go into effect in January.
Council is expected to consider increases in the sewer rates for another four-year period with legislation to be introduced in late 2010. The City continues to aggressively pursue federal and state funding and grants to minimize the effect on rate payers.