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Struthers renegotiates water rates
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
An increase in water rates goes into effect Jan. 1 after the city renegotiated its contract with AquaOhio.
Councilman-at-large Joseph Rudzik, chairman of the utilities commission, said the initial 4.2 percent rate increase represents a smaller hike compared with the last several contracts adopted by the city.
City council voted unanimously to adopt the fees outlined in a four-year contract, which includes the option of a fifth year.
The contract sets fees, including a monthly customer rate charge based on the size of a water meter and a charge based on the amount of water delivered.
For 2017, those rates begin at $12.14 a month for a meter between five-eighths inches and three-fourths inches and end at $854.76 a month for a 6-inch meter. Those monthly charges increase by about 4.2 percent for 2018 and by about 4.5 percent for 2019. In 2020 and 2021, that fee again will increase by about 4.5 percent.
There also are monthly charges based on the amount of water delivered, which will increase at a similar rate. In 2017, for the first 2,500 cubic feet, the regular charge is $6.27 per 100 cubic feet; for all usage over 2,500 cubic feet a month, the charge is $5.26 per 100 cubic feet. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports an average American family of four uses about 1,604 cubic feet of water per month, which is about 12,000 gallons.
Other fees outlined in the contract include a $30.76 account activation fee, a $53.25 fee for reconnection during regular business hours and a $163.43 fee for reconnection outside of regular business hours.
There is a 5 percent late-payment fee.
There are distinct rate schedules for other types of users, including public fire protection and private fire protection.
The contract stipulates Aqua can readjust the fees set in the contract, as allowed by law, to fund future “major” capital-improvement projects, if those improvements are mandated by the Ohio EPA or another government regulatory agency.