Wasilla to raise water, sewer fees

EOWYN LeMAY IVEY-Frontiersman reporter

Wasilla residents could soon see a 30-percent increase to their water bills.

Aiming to cover the cost of building a new water reservoir and extending water pipes, the Wasilla City Council is considering raising rates for water and sewer. For many small homes and businesses, the proposed monthly increases equate to about 30 percent for water and around 11 percent for sewer.

If approved by the council, they would go into effect July 1.

Residents will have a chance to voice their opinion on the rate increases at a public hearing slated for the city council's next regular meeting, at 7 p.m. Monday, April 28 at city hall.

City officials say the increases are needed to cover the debts incurred by ongoing water system improvements and they say it isn't every day that the fees are increased.

"It's been a while … at least three years," said Wasilla Public Works Director Don Shiesl.

According to the proposed fee schedule, those who own a small home or business and use the minimum amount of less than 5,000 gallons of water per month will see their monthly bill go from $15.75 to $25.75. At the same time, their sewer will increase from $22.35 to $29.75.

For a larger business that uses between 7,500 and 250,000 gallons of water per month, the combined bill will increase from $57.01 to $78.26.

Large commercial operations that use more than that will see their combined bill go from $1,900 to $2,285.

These aren't the only change the council is considering. The proposed ordinance up for public hearing April 28 also addresses items such as how much the city charges landowners to tap into the water main and how much it charges for service calls. .Copies of the ordinance can be picked up at city hall.