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Lowellville council OKs water rate increase for 2017
By Sarah Lehr
LOWELLVILLE
Village council this week approved a series of water-rate increases to go into effect in 2017.
An agreement with Aqua Ohio sets rates through Dec. 31, 2021, though the contract states the company can amend rates at a future time, as allowed by law, to pay for any facilities improvements mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency or another government regulatory body.
Fees will increase by about 4.2 percent in 2017 and again by 4.2 percent in 2018. The increases for 2019, 2020 and 2021 will be about 4.5 percent each year.
In 2017, for the first 2,500 cubic feet of used, the charge is $6.27 per 100 cubic feet; for all usage that exceeds 2,500 cubic feet a month, the charge is $5.26 per 100 cubic feet.
There also are charges based on water-meter size. In 2017, those rates begin at $12.14 a month for a meter between 5/8 inches and 3/4 inches and end at $854.76 a month for a 6-inch meter.
An average family of four uses about 1,600 cubic feet (roughly 12,000 gallons) of water per month, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Other charges include a $30.76 account activation fee, a 5 percent late payment fee and reconnection fees of either $53.25 or $163.43.
Aqua Ohio renegotiated its contracts with multiple municipalities this summer. The city of Struthers, for instance, agreed to the same rate schedule Lowellville has approved.