O'Fallon Hosts Public Hearing On Proposed Water, Sewer Rate Changes

The is holding a public hearing Thursday night regarding proposed changes to the city’s water and sewer rates.

The proposed plan calls for an increase in water base rate and usage fees, along with a decrease in sewer fees throughout the next five years. If approved, the new rates would go into effect in January 2012.

The city partnered with the engineering consulting firm Donohue and Associates on a study that outlined the needs and the impact of the water and sewer system throughout next five years. 

Director of Public Relations Tom Drabelle said the study found rate changes are necessary to upgrade the system in the next few years.

Proposed projects include rehabilitation of deep wells, building a new water well, additional storage capacity to meet state standards and upgrades to one of the city's water towers.

If approved, the average rate increase for a household that uses less than 1,000 gallons of water per month would be an additional 65 cents per month in 2012, Drabelle said. He added that after 2012, the increase would be an average of $1.19 per month until 2016. 

See the city's website to read the ordinance and the water and sewer service schedule base rate and usage fees from 2011-16. 

The city council will hear the first reading of the proposed plan at the regular meeting after the public hearing Thursday.