Ypsilanti utility customers to see water and sewer rate hikes
Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority customers will likely see their water and sewer rates increase effective Oct. 1.
At its meeting Monday, the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 3 percent sewer rate hike, while the YCUA Board of Commissioners has approved a 4 percent water increase that doesn’t require approval from the municipalities it serves.
The average customer will see a cumulative 4.1 percent increase in his or her bi-monthly water and sewer bills. That translates into an additional $3.69 per bill for an average user and $1.82 per bill for a minimum user.
An average user in Ypsilanti Township now pays $48.18 in water and $41.49 in sewer on a bi-monthly basis. A minimum user pays $23.82 in water and $21.12 in sewer on a bi-monthly basis.
YCUA interim director Jeff Castro discusses water and sewer rate increases with the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Under the new rates, an average user in Ypsilanti Township would pay $50.63 for water and 42.74 for their sewer.
Users also pay a 5 percent surcharge for capital costs.
The changes come as the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department passed on cost increases of 8.7 percent to its customers for infrastructure upgrades.
YCUA interim director Jeff Castro said the YCUA was able to keep the increase passed on to its customers lower because of reductions in operational costs. He said some positions left open by retirement weren’t filled and some changes were made to the YCUA’s wage structure.
The YCUA’s water consumption is also down significantly compared to five years ago due to the loss of the area’s industrial base. Castro said the extremely hot and dry weather contributed to higher water usage this summer.
“The water consumption has stabilized, however we do expect to see a little bit of decrease next year,” he said.
Two years ago DWSD passed on a cost increase of 19 percent, and last year’s increase was 9.2 percent. A 3.5 percent increase in the sewer rate last year was the first since 2008.
Castro said DWSD is undergoing an organizational restructuring and he is expecting the cost increases will be much lower in coming years.
The YCUA also serves customers in Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, York Township, Augusta Township and Pittsfield Township.
According to Michigan Department of Natural Resources statistics from fiscal year 2010, YCUA customers enjoyed the lowest water and sewer rates in Washtenaw County.
Comments
Ben
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.
You are aware that YCUA services much more than Ypsilanti Township, right? If YCUA is raising rates, it affects residents in many townships and the city of Ypsilanti. And just FYI - the surcharge for the city is 68%. Township residents have it easy at 5%.
cust
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.
Ycua thank you for not increasing rates 8.7%. And thank you for repairing my sewer pipe near the road. From what plumbing inspector told me, no other utility takes such responsibility. Single parent and thankful to live in twp.
Thomas
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
I would like to see a bill like this too: "An average user in Ypsilanti Township now pays $23.20 in water and $19.44 in sewer on a bi-monthly basis. " Households don't even get charged for water or sewage if they use less than 6 units. I have never used more than 6 and through conservation efforts, my average bi monthly bill is 3 units. And whether I use 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, if I'm not over 6, I don't pay for water or sewer, which means my bill, regardless of units, is exactly the same. $68 and change. I have never paid closer to $40 except prior to the redo of the water pipes 8 years ago. So I don't know what they're talking about average bill wise...
shazamm
Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
I havent seen a water bill for less than $65.00 since I moved here in 1977........you have got to be kidding me.....my bill now are around $80.00 a bill. The house has new plumbing...no leaks....watering the yard is out of the question......time to abandon Detroit water and dig a well
greg, too
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
On one side, we are asked to conserve water during a drought. And then when it is nearing its end, we are then punished with rate hikes? And doesn't this then raise the surcharge as well, thusly really raising our bills by a couple more bucks? There are sink holes developing all over the city and township. Hopefully this extra cash will go to fixing these amazing pipes that we are paying for through our 80%+ surcharge on our water bills, as well as this new hike.
thedime
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
Where are these supposed sinkholes all around town? From 2000-2004, the city completed an almost 80% water main replacement project. Considering that the Cross Street main from the Stone Tower easterly to Prospect dates to the 1890's and the fact that you have a split sewer system, you should be thankful. If it were not for the dedicated staff at YCUA, I could forsee rate hikes in the 40-50% range.
thedime
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
That would be Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, not Sewage
SEC Fan
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11:48 a.m.
We're not paying for water...this is a TAX increase. "water consumption is also down significantly compared to five years ago" ...so we have to make up for the revenue loss.
jns131
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
Actually we get our water from Detroit. So we pay whatever they tell us to pay. I am not surprised to see this increase since Detroit is going bankrupt and we have to bail them out..
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.
In this case, much of the infrastructure remains in place and up and running regardless of the amount of water used. That infrastructure needs to be maintained even if the amount of water running through it in both directions is reduced. The cost to actually treat the water at both ends is a small part of the overall cost of delivering clean water too your house and dirty water away.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11:31 a.m.
"According to Michigan Department of Natural Resources statistics from fiscal year 2010, YCUA customers enjoyed the lowest water and sewer rates in Washtenaw County. " congratulations.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11:05 a.m.
"An average user in Ypsilanti Township now pays $23.20 in water and $19.44 in sewer on a bi-monthly basis." i'd like to see one of those bills.
jns131
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
Me too. I haven't seen a bill like that since never. We would have to use no water to get that rate. I overheard two ladies talking about a rate hike in Canton. So this is a no brainer we will get this jacked up too. Wow. Time to load up the bathtub.
Y-TownMom
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
"An average user in Ypsilanti Township now pays $23.20 in water and $19.44 in sewer on a bi-monthly basis." Maybe that's per person, not per household. That estimate works for my family if you multiply it by the number of people in the family.
flyonthewall
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
I'm guessing the numbers quoted are per month times two months = the bill. But we're still over that number considerably. With only two humans and a handful of dogs in the house (not Water Spaniels or Labrador Retrievers), we must be the cleanest family in the county. We don't wash cars or water the lawn. Our only concession is a soaker hose on the vegetable garden a couple of times a week.
glimmertwin
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.
Me too.