Dearborn Residents to See Water Bill Increase

Dearborn residents won’t be hit with a tax hike this year, but will see an increase on their water bill following the city council’s approval of the new rates next week.

The council is scheduled to vote on the final reading of the ordinance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday during its regular meeting. The first reading of the ordinance occurred on May 28.

Under the proposed rates, water bills will increase by 6 percent, and sewer bills will increase by 5.8 percent.

According to the Dearborn Press and Guide, the changes are primarily due to higher costs in operating the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which contracts with the city for water usage.

City officials said the average household uses about 20,000 gallons of water every three months, which is included in one billing cycle. The residential water bill for that usage would jump from $185.77 to $196.99, and a typical commercial water bill would jump from $2,344 to $2,485.

The changes will go into effect beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year, which starts July 1.