Shrewsbury Water Rates To Increase Starting In July

SHREWSBURY, MA — Water rates in Shrewsbury will increase by 5 percent starting in July, with costs associated with the water system also on the rise.

Assistant Town Manager for Finance and Administration David Snowdon presented the increase to the select board this week, who noted that rates haven't risen drastically compared to 2023, when rates rose 3.5 percent.

The increase, he said, is due to costs related to the ongoing maintenance of the water system, debt payments for past improvements and paying for new treatment systems to remove PFAS chemicals from the water supply. The town is designing a system to remove the so-called forever chemicals, although recent tests have shown PFAS levels below the state threshold.

The water rate increase will go into effect on July 1, which is when fiscal year 2025 begins. Here's what residential and condominium customers will pay after the new rates go into effect.

• 0-5,000 gallons: $2.37 per 1,000 gallons
• 5,001-25,000: $6.21 per 1,000
• 25,001-60,000: $9.50 per 1,000
• 60,000 and up: $17.57 per 1,000

Shrewsbury is also putting water restriction in place starting in next month for the summer months. From May 1 to Sept. 30, nonessential outdoor watering hours will be limited to before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.