Here is a PDF file that explains why water and sewer rates went up.
Archive for the ‘City Issues’ Category
Why Water and Sewer Rates Went Up and Chart
Thursday, August 27th, 2009Rochester will borrow up to $6.3m for two big projects
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009July 8, 2009
Fosters
ROCHESTER — Councilors unanimously agreed to borrow up to $6.325 million for two separate projects — a new water treatment plant and well in the city and construction on Washington Street — with the provision nearly half the cost would be offset by federal stimulus funds.
On June 2 and 16, councilors approved the two projects during the regular meeting and a workshop, respectively, but city officials were not aware the N.H. Department of Environmental Services decided to administer both as state loans, with part of the cost offset by federal funds before the first payment on the loans need to be made, according to City Manager John Scruton.
As a result of Tuesday’s meeting, the council rescinded the two previous approvals to seek state and federal funds, but allowed the city’s proposals to go before Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council July 15.
Rochester water and sewer rate hikes approved: Other nonbudget items addressed
Thursday, June 18th, 2009June 18, 2009
Fosters
ROCHESTER — Beyond passing the fiscal year 2010 budget Tuesday night, the City Council also approved water and sewer rates for the upcoming year and accepted grant money for the $2.4 million Neighborhood Stabilization Project.
Pay what it costs for water and sewer service
Friday, June 12th, 2009June 12, 2009
Fosters
Rochester has to bite the bullet on this one.
Little in life is free. Neither the air we breathe, the energy with which we control the climate in our homes, the land on which we live, nor the water we use and dispose.
Rochester residents can expect a boost in their water and sewer rates next month. The city’s Utility Advisory Board has recommended a hike in rates each year for the next six years. It is not a minor increase either. Sewer rates are already running ahead of water rates. The proposal made by the UAB would see the sewer rate jump 8 percent and the cost of water rise 3.8 percent.
It costs more to let the water run down the drain or flush it than it does to buy it — and it appears the gap will continue to increase.
Taxes are rising and so, too, are fees. Water and sewer fees are most obvious of all and affects residents and businesses throughout the city.
Sizable Rochester water and sewer rate hikes proposed
Thursday, June 11th, 2009June 11, 2009
Fosters
ROCHESTER — City residents could see significant increases in water and sewer rates if the City Council agrees with Utility Advisory Board recommendations for yearly increases through Fiscal Year 2015 made at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The UAB advised the council raise the FY10 sewer rate to $5.95 per 100 cubic feet — or 748 gallons — and the water rate to $4.19 per 100 cubic feet, effective July 1. The recommendations represent 8 percent and 3.8 percent increases, respectively.
The UAB also proposed further yearly increases through FY15. The UAB proposed raising sewer by 8 percent each year through FY15 and water by 4 percent in FY11, 4.5 percent in FY12 and 5 percent each year thereafter through FY15.
This translates to significant rate increases for water and sewer customers. The quarterly cost for the average sewer customer in FY09 is $165.18. With proposed changes, the quarterly rate jumps to $178.40 in FY10 and will be $262.12 in FY15, according to UAB Chair Kevin Bridges.