COLUMBUS, Ohio -- City residents soon could be paying more for water. The city of Columbus wants to increase water rates by almost 5 percent.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
If a new proposal were to pass, the average customer would pay approximately $40 more a year on his or her water bill with the proposed 4.89 percent increase.
Why is the increase necessary, though, since voters recently approved a half-percent income-tax hike?
There are federally mandated projects that cost millions, and the increased revenue would keep the projects running smoothly and the city’s water clean, according to Columbus’ Department of Public Utilities spokesperson George Zonders.
Specifically, projects include major upgrades to the Hap Cremean and Dublin Road water-treatment plants and technology upgrades to the Jackson Pike and Southerly wastewater treatment facilities.
NBC 4 asked how the city could justify a proposed water-rate increase weeks after a vote for an income-tax increase.
“Well, the income-tax increase and the rate increase for public utilities are two different things. We're obviously not happy needing an increase. We have a lot of things we're required to do, but the economy is bad. We know that,” Zonders said.
The city’s Sewer and Water Advisory Board was expected to vote on the proposed increase by the end of the month.
Columbus city council will hold public hearings on the proposal and possibly vote on the proposed increase in November.
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