Belmont Water, Sewer Rates To Increase By 4.6 Percent

Belmont residents will be paying more for their water and sewer bills this coming year.

But, according to Belmont's DPW Director, the coming fiscal year increase – about double the inflation rate – could be dwarfed by a surge in fees in the next few years from the authority that supplies Belmont's water.

The DPW's Peter Castinino informed Belmont's Board of Selectmen at its Tuesday meeting, May 21, that water rates would increase by 3.9 percent and sewer usage by 4.9 percent for a hike of 4.6 percent to most residents and businesses.

The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the rate hike.

The current water rate is $5.46 per 100 cubic feet of water up to 3,000 cubic feet. Any amount more than 3,000 cubic feet the rate is $6.28 per 100 cubic feet and there is a minimum $17.27 service charge per quarter for a 5/8 meter (there is a price increase for larger meters).  

This year's water rate will increase by about 21 cents per 100 cubic feet. 

Sanitary sewer fees are based on 100 percent of metered water consumption. The current sewer rate is $10.72 per 100 cubic feet of water and there is a minimum $15.16 service charge for a 5/8 meter per quarter.

This coming fiscal year will see rates jumping by about 52 cents per 100 percent. 

Last year, Selectmen voted to approve an increase water rates by two percent and sewer charges by six percent, mostly the result of an increase in the town's community assessment from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, which serves as a water "wholesaler" to Belmont and numerous member communities in eastern Massachusetts. 

This coming fiscal year, Castinino said the town saw a similar increase in MWRA assessment and fees which makes up nearly half of the cost of the town's rates.

The combined sewer and water fee for fiscal 2014 from the MWRA to Belmont was $7.2 million, about $340,000 more than last year's assessment or about a five percent increase.

Castinino said that residents and businesses should "concerned" with information coming from the MWRA that fees will likely rise significantly in the coming years.