Water and sewer rate increase to add $3.18 to average monthly bill

July 6, 2017 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com



SPRINGFIELD – Water and sewer rates will go up in Springfield, but the executive director of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission said the city still has some of the lowest water rates in the region.

“The Commission’s rates are some of the lowest in New England.  However, rates alone do not tell the entire story.  More importantly is what you are getting for that dollar spent. The Commission is committed to sustainable and responsible reinvestment and renewal of its infrastructure. The Commission services are a value in that it continuously evaluates all aspects of its operations and seeks to make improvements and gain efficiencies whenever and wherever it can,” Joshua Schimmel told Reminder Publications.

The commission voted on June 22 to increase the combined water and sewer rate about 4 percent for residential customers. The increase will be reflected in the sewer and water use starting July 1 and will be seen in the bills in August.

The residential water rate will be go from $2.89 per 100 cubic feet to $3.01 per 100 cubic feet. The sewer will increase from $4.74 to $4.93 per 100 cubic foot.

Schimmel added, “The increase last year was also 4 percent.  The Commission has established financial policies and initiatives that allow for continued investment in infrastructure while having an affordable and stable rate structure.

The commission estimates the average bill will increase about $3.18 per month.

One reason the rates are increasing is the budgetary demand placed on the commission by unfunded state and federal mandates. “The commission has spent in excess of $100 million on unfunded federal mandates since 2003.  Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) continue to be the largest financial burden for the commission.  Additionally, pending limits for nitrogen in wastewater effluent could have a significant and long lasting impact. The Stage 2 Disinfection By Products rule continues to impact drinking water treatment process and will eventually require a significant investment,” Schimmel said.

The Commission’s FY18 total operating budget is $66.8 million. The commission also approved at its June meeting a three-year capital improvement plan for fiscal years 2018-2020 of $120.4 million.

“The Commission continues to work to balance the need for reinvestment in the water and sewer infrastructure and projects required by unfunded regulatory requirements with the important goal of maintaining affordable water and sewer rates. We will continue to look for innovative ways to manage these competing priorities while providing high quality services to the residents of Springfield, Ludlow, and the surrounding communities,” Daniel Rodriguez, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said.

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