Rochester Hills increases water, sewer rates

An average increase of 2.8 percent per month for residential water and sewer rates in Rochester Hills was finalized by the city council on Monday, June 4.

Council in May approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment to change water and sewer rates that were based on rate changes charged to the city. Rochester Hills Chief Financial Officer Joe Snyder said the city's water and sewer technical review committee arrived at the rate structure using a a "break-even methodology."

Under the finalized ordinance, water rates will increase by a half percent, totaling $5.84 per 100 cubic feet of water; sewer rates will be set at $6.09 per 100 cubic feet, an increase of about 4.8 percent. The new structure also includes an increase of about 1.8 percent for meter replacements, billing, meter reading and other services, or about an additional 10 cents per bill.

Non-metered flat sewer rates were set at $73.08 per bill, an increase of about 4.8 percent.

Industrial surcharge rates from the Great Lakes Water Authority are pass-through fees to industrial customers, and will rise about .2 percent; industrial surcharge waste control rates will decrease about 37 percent on average.

Snyder said average residential customers will likely see bills increase from about $3.79 per bill. Flat rate sewer customers will see an increase of about $3.41 per bill.

Council approved the second and final reading of the measure by 6 to 0, with councilman Dale Hetrick absent.

In addition to water and sewer rates, council approved amending the city's ordinance regarding late fees for delinquent water and sewer bills, increasing late frees from 2 percent of the outstanding bill to 5 percent.

The fee increase unanimously approved, with councilman Hetrick absent.