MONROE - An 18-percent increase in sewer rates is drawing near in Monroe.
The City of Monroe Wastewater Utility implemented the sewer rate increase for the third- quarter billing cycle. The bills, due out in early October, will cover consumption during June, July and August. Sewer charges are billed quarterly, along with water, fire protection and trash collection charges.
The Common Council approved the increase March 6, on a 9-1 vote. The last rate increase was in February 2009.
Based on an average household water use of 12,000 gallons per quarter, the estimated sewer increase will be $10.83 per quarter.
The fixed quarterly charge rose $3.30, and the flow charge rose 65 cents per 1,000 gallons, or $4.46 per 1,000 cubic feet. Residents will be charged $20.11 for a fixed charge and $4.25 per 1,000 gallons of water used, for sewer charges. Water usage charges are calculated separately.
According to the Public Service Commission, as of February, the average statewide annual water used for residential customers was about 52,300 gallons, or 13,075 gallons per quarter.
The council raised the rate because of an anticipated deficit, a result primarily of current and future debt obligations associated with recent and planned future improvements of the wastewater treatment plant. The 2013 upgrade project adds about $970,000 annually to the current debt costs of about $260,000, bringing the total up to $1.2 million for principal and interest payments. The current debt comes from sewer projects in 1992, 1997 and 2002.
The upgrade costs assumes the city will receive loan funds through the Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP), one of the state's subsidized loan programs included in the Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF).
The Wastewater Treatment Utility 2013 total budget comes to $3.5 million, with $2 million for operations and maintenance, $1.2 million for debt and $250,000 for equipment replacement funds.
The City of Monroe Wastewater Utility implemented the sewer rate increase for the third- quarter billing cycle. The bills, due out in early October, will cover consumption during June, July and August. Sewer charges are billed quarterly, along with water, fire protection and trash collection charges.
The Common Council approved the increase March 6, on a 9-1 vote. The last rate increase was in February 2009.
Based on an average household water use of 12,000 gallons per quarter, the estimated sewer increase will be $10.83 per quarter.
The fixed quarterly charge rose $3.30, and the flow charge rose 65 cents per 1,000 gallons, or $4.46 per 1,000 cubic feet. Residents will be charged $20.11 for a fixed charge and $4.25 per 1,000 gallons of water used, for sewer charges. Water usage charges are calculated separately.
According to the Public Service Commission, as of February, the average statewide annual water used for residential customers was about 52,300 gallons, or 13,075 gallons per quarter.
The council raised the rate because of an anticipated deficit, a result primarily of current and future debt obligations associated with recent and planned future improvements of the wastewater treatment plant. The 2013 upgrade project adds about $970,000 annually to the current debt costs of about $260,000, bringing the total up to $1.2 million for principal and interest payments. The current debt comes from sewer projects in 1992, 1997 and 2002.
The upgrade costs assumes the city will receive loan funds through the Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP), one of the state's subsidized loan programs included in the Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF).
The Wastewater Treatment Utility 2013 total budget comes to $3.5 million, with $2 million for operations and maintenance, $1.2 million for debt and $250,000 for equipment replacement funds.