Water rates raise may be on the cards in Kennewick

  • 2016-10-07
Kennewick currently has some of the lowest water and sewer rates in the Tri-City area. When a public hearing and vote takes place later this month, it is possible that the city will raise its rates. The increased revenue from the rate hikes would fund capital projects and help the city deal with a growing population.

The hearing and potential vote, due for October 18, comes after a study conducted by consultancy firm the FCS Group. The study pointed out the resources needed by the city to maintain its water and sewer system. The city faces the issue of keeping its rates low while providing high level customer service and keeping up the water and sewer infrastructure.

Cities can use Mailing services to let residents know of changes in their municipal services bills. If the water rate increase passes, the rates will go up by about 5.15% each year, starting in 2017.

During the first year, it is expected that the average residential water customer's bill will go up by $2.26 bimonthly. The average bill amount will increase to $46.14.

Even with the increase, Kennewick's water bills will still be less than the average of surrounding areas. In Richland, the average water bill is $73.50 bimonthly. In Pasco, the average bimonthly bill is $48.92.

The city is considering increasing the cost of sewer services by 7.4%. The average bimonthly sewer bill would go up by $3.14 and would cost an average of $45.57 bimonthly.

All in all, the hope is that the increased water and sewer rates would raise $1,080,000 in revenue the first year.

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