See How Much Worcester Water, Sewer Rates Will Rise On July 1

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester water and sewer ratepayers will see a combined 3 percent increase when the new fiscal year begins on July 1, which would mean an annual increase of about $20 per-year or $5 per quarter for the average user.

This year's increase is one of the largest in recent years. The rate increase in 2023 was 1.8 percent or $12 per year, and 1.4 percent in 2022.

As with other recent increases, the 2024 increase is largely due to sewer system costs. The water rate will only rise 4 cents, or 1 percent, on July 1. The sewer rate will increase 35 cents to $9.12 per hundred cubic feet, largely due to a 44 percent higher assessment from the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District, the regional waste treatment plant. The rest of the sewer increase is split almost evenly between salary and benefits for sewer division workers, and debt service for infrastructure projects.

A majority of the water rate — about 68 percent — goes to staffing the city's Water Division, which operates 10 reservoirs across the region and a water treatment plant.

This year's increases are actually less than what the city had planned under the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan, a roadmap for infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years. Worcester was set to raise the water and sewer rates 3 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.

"[T]he Integrated Plan also recognizes unusual and unforeseen circumstances that may impact the ability of the City and its ratepayers to support these anticipated rate increases. We continue to adjust our recommendations to the economic realities of the City," DPW Commissioner Jay Fink wrote in a memo to councilors.

Here's a look at the rates set to begin on July 1. These figures are the cost per 100 cubic feet of either water or sewer use.

The rate for out-of-town users will also rise this year from $4 to $4.04.

Even with recent increases, Worcester water and sewer rates are low compared to communities of similar size. Somerville water and sewer bills cost over $1,400 on average per year, Cambridge $1,181, Framingham $1,159 and Boston $904. Worcester rates cost on average $689 per year.

The rates will be subject to city council approval.