On Jan. 1, the City of Manhattan will see changes in water and sewer rates.
Most customers will see an increase in their bill with the average residential combined water and sewer bill going up from $58.82 to $59.84. That is a $1.02 increase. However, the average combined water and sewage bill for businesses will decrease $3.63, going from $309.08 to $305.45.
Some of the changes that are effecting the price changes include monthly minimum charges for the first two units of water and wastewater, increases in monthly minimum charges for water, and decreases in monthly charges for sewer. The City of Manhattan states that the changes to the rate structure will more accurately charge the customers for their fair share of costs.
“The proposed rate structure modifications should remove much of the uncertainty and variability from projecting consumption and revenues,” says Randy DeWitt, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works for Water and Wastewater.
The city also explained that the changes are due to both the growth of Manhattan and the recent increased need for irrigated water in the area. The city is trying to plan for even more growth to ensure that no residents are left without access to services during peak demand times.