Springfield sewer rate hike coming in two weeks

Planned sewer rate increases in the city of Springfield are on their way in two weeks.

Residential customers are slated to see a roughly 4% increase starting July 1, according to a news release. That equates to an additional $1.67 per month on a typical residential sewer bill.

“The city realizes the impact that sewer rates have on our citizens and business community, and we strive to keep rates as low as possible,” Environmental Services Director Errin Kemper said in the release. “We also realize the need to efficiently operate and maintain this critical piece of community infrastructure and meet our environmental regulatory obligations under the Clean Water Act. Based on the community's integrated planning efforts, we will continue to focus our citizen’s’ money on activities that maximize the benefit to our ratepayers while protecting our vital water resources.”

An average residential customer uses six cubic feet and receives a monthly bill for $43.26 per month. That monthly price is going up to $44.93.

Base customer and volume charges are the same for commercial customers, according to a city spokesperson.

According to the release, Springfield’s monthly wastewater bill remains 23% lower than the average in similar Missouri cities. Commercial customers pay 44% less, and industrial rates are 30% less.

Rate increases for fiscal 2027 were approved by City Council in March.

The city of Springfield contracts with City Utilities of Springfield for sanitary sewer services billing, according to the release.