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

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester water and sewer users will see a 1.8 percent increase when the new fiscal year begins on July 1, which would mean an annual increase of about $12 for the average single-family homeowner.

The rate increase is slightly larger than the one customers saw one year ago. Last year, rates rose about 1.4 percent for the average user, with the water rate rising 1 cent, and the sewer rate rising 17 cents.

Worcester's sewer rates are significantly higher than the water rates largely due to the city's assessment to operate the Upper Blackstone Clean Water sewage treatment facility. About 43 percent of sewer revenues go toward the assessment, with debt from previous sewer upgrades the next biggest chunk.

A majority of the water rate — about 60 percent — goes to staffing the city's Water Division, which operates 10 reservoirs across the region and a water treatment plant.

Worcester was set to raise the water and sewer rates much more for fiscal 2024 —3 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively — according to the city's plan for improving the water and sewer system. The city chose not to due to the "economic realities" facing resident rights now, 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 $3.93 to $4.

It's possible these rates could drop for some water and sewer users. At-Large Councilor Moe Bergman on Tuesday asked the city manager's office to consider using free cash to offset the rate increases in fiscal 2024.

"Free cash" is the amount of money municipalities in Massachusetts have leftover at the end of the fiscal year. The state Division of Local Services will certify Worcester's fiscal 2023 free cash amount in the fall.