Birmingham water, sewer rates to increase

By Kevin Elliott

Water and sewer customers in Birmingham will see a hike in rates starting July 1, following the city commission’s approval of increases on Monday, May 24.

Water and sewer increases are typically pass-through increases that are charged to the city from the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s office and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).

Birmingham Finance Director Mark Gerber said the city commission reviewed the water and sewer fund budgets on May 1, and that the city received updated sanitary and storm water costs from the county. Based on the rates and budgets, there are increases to both water and sewer rates.

Water rates will increase 35 cents, from $4.95 to $5.30 per 1,000 gallons of water used, or about seven percent. That would raise the annual cost of a homeowner using 90 units of water by about $31.50 per year.

Sewer rates sill increase 36 cents, from $8.21 to $8.57 per 1,000 gallons of water used, or about 4.4 percent. The increase raises annual costs to a homeowner by about $32.40 per year. Stormwater rates will increase $15 annually for customers in the Evergreen-Farmington Sewer Disposal District, and $10 for those in the Southeast Oakland Sewage Disposal District.

Industrial surcharge and industrial waste control charges will increase about 2.6 percent. Those fees are charged by the Great Lakes Water Authority and collected by the city. The city doesn’t keep any of the money it collects for those fees.

Commissioners unanimously approved the rate increases.