Youngstown water rate increases begin today

YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s water rate increased 8.75 percent today as part of a plan to raise that rate by more than 50 percent over the next five years.

The city will increase its water rates by 8.75 percent again on Jan. 1, 2011, and by the same amount the three following years.

When all of the increases are implemented, customers will pay about 52 percent more for water than they do now.

The increase will produce about $1.6 million in new revenue a year.

The average city customer uses about 4,500 gallons of water per month, and the average bill, now at $22.23 per month, will increase by $1.95 to $24.18 as of today.

That goes to $26.29 as of Jan. 1, 2011; $28.59 on Jan. 1, 2012; $31.09 on Jan. 1, 2013; and $33.81 on Jan. 1, 2014.

The new rates will apply to both residential and commercial customers.

For customers in Austintown and Boardman, who get water from Youngstown, the increase translates into about $2.72 per month.