GENEVA —
Put on your waders, because water rates are rising in Geneva.
Due to an increase in bulk water rates as approved by Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the city will increase water rates by 12 percent over the next three years, “to absorb costs and for infrastructure funds,” Geneva City Manager Jim Pearson said.
“PUCO has approved a 10-percent increase for bulk water, of which 3 percent is a systems improvement fee imposed in May 2011,” he said.
The rate hike will begin in September, Pearson said, with increases in cost in January 2013 and January 2014.
City Water Superintendent David Gilbert told the Utilities Committee that the 12-percent increase is necessary to keep the water department financially afloat, and that the increase will equate to about $1 to $1.50 per month per household. If the water rate doesn’t increase, Gilbert said, the water department will risk financial instability in 2013.
Gilbert said Geneva passed a rate increase in 2005, making water $4.21 per 100 cubic feet. Today’s price is $5.18 per 100 cubic feet, despite yearly PUCO-approved increases in bulk water rates by Ohio American Water. Ashtabula County residents who purchase water from the county system pay $6.63 per 100 cubic feet; in 2015 that cost will increase to $7.26 per 100 cubic feet.
With the bulk water rate increase in effect now, the city loses $2,000 per month.
Increases from Aqua Ohio for system improvements have added to the financial strain, Gilbert said.
The increase reflects infrastructure maintenance and repairs, which are also of significant importance and cost, Gilbert said.
“(The pipes) from Roosevelt to North Avenue is bad, it has a 4-inch pipe, one hydrant is choked and the new (county) system may compromise our system,” he said.
The cost of improvement to that portion of the water system is $250,000.
“The oldest water lines in the city were installed in the 1920s,” Gilbert said. “The oldest sewer line was installed in 1901. Many of the homes in Geneva were built in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Many (pipes) are 6-inch, unlined pipes.”
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