Residential sewer rate increase around the corner

Springfield residents using the city’s sewer service soon will see larger monthly bills.

Starting July 1, an average residential customer who uses 748 gallons of water per month will pay a bill of $32.36. That’s a 5.6 percent increase from the current monthly rate of $30.64 for the average user, according to a news release.

Changes will be represented on August bills from City Utilities. The city has a contract with CU for sanitary sewer services billing.

The rate change is the second in a series of increases approved by Springfield City Council in November 2016. The rate increases run through 2020 and are designed to improve the city’s aging sewer system and keep it in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, according to the release.

The city calculates sewer rates based on water consumption January-March, which represent the most average months. The use of those months avoids accounting for irrigation, car washing, pools and other uses that are seasonal and irregular, since the majority of water used by residents travels to the wastewater system after being flushed down toilets and drains.