New Rates Effective January 1, 2024

City Council approves water, wastewater rates changes

The Bethany City Council voted 5-3 October 3, 2023, to approve a utility rate increase to fund capital improvements to the City’s water and wastewater (sewer) systems as well as costs for ongoing city operations and maintenance.

The changes will help cover the cost of more than $42 million in water system improvements, including the water well field capacity improvements, meter, and waterline replacements, as well as $8.9 million in sewer line improvements and future needed improvements to the wastewater plant.

A study conducted in 2020 identified the need for a readjustment of water rates. The rate increase was partially implemented in May of 2020. Presentations were given on January 5, 2021, and June 15, 2021, regarding utilities and rates. The city received another presentation on the need for a utility increase on August 1, 2023. The city also received presentations on September 27th and on October 3, 2023. All presentations are on the City of Bethany website.

As all city costs have increased, such as electricity, gas, supplies, employee costs and contract labor, the City has found it necessary to pass those costs on to those who utilize utility services.  The current rates for water and wastewater services were adopted in 2020, with a base charge of $17.82 for water and a base charge of $15.79 for wastewater. This is the first increase since May,2020.

Under the plan approved by Council, the water rate plan for residential customers establishes a base charge of $19.60 effective January 2024.

The new base charge includes 2,000 gallons of water usage, whereas the old base charge only included 1,000 gallons. New usage rates are $4.63 per thousand for 3,000 to 10,000 gallons, $6.64 per thousand for 11,000 to 20,000 gallons and $8.86 per thousand for usage over 20,000 gallons. Water customers who use less than 2,000 gallons per month may see a slight decrease in the water portion of their bill.

The plan also calls for increases in all nonresidential water and sewer rates.

The new residential wastewater rate plan means a base charge increase to $17.37 beginning January 2024, and the usage charge per 1,000 gallons will increase from $2.17 to 4.25 beginning January 2024.

The rates will be adjusted yearly thereafter based on the consumer price index with a minimum of 3 percent and a maximum of 6 percent increase. Sanitation (Garbage) and Stormwater rates are not increasing currently.

The rates for the City of Bethany utilities, water use and conservation tips and frequently asked questions can be found online at: https://www.cityofbethany.org/government/city_departments/customer_service___utility_billing/index.php