PWC Adopts New Water and Sewer Rates

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August 22, 2007

The Fayetteville Public Works Commission voted Wednesday to adopt new water and sewer rates effective in October 2007. The last water and sewer rate adjustment was September 2005.

Rising costs associated with material such as pipes and treatment chemicals, as well as retrofitting and replacement of old infrastructure, have contributed to the increases that were announced in April 2007 when the Board approved its budget for fiscal year 2007-2008.

The rate adjustments were made reflecting cost of service, or the cost to serve different customer groups, as well as concern for fixed income customers. The PWC Board requested establishing a rate to reflect a lower charge for customers using 5,000 gallons of water a month or less.

An average inside city residential customer with both water and sewer services, will see a $1.93 overall increase for using 5,000 gallons of water a month.

Through conservation measures and water efficient features in new construction, PWC's average residential use has dropped from 6,000 gallons a month to 5,000 gallons per month. As a result, more than 6,000 PWC customers who live within the city limits and who only have PWC sewer services, will see a $2 decrease on their monthly bill.

Despite the increase, PWC's water and sewer rates remain among the lowest in the state when compared to the 12 largest cities in the state. PWC treats over eight billion gallons of water annually and serves over 77,000 residential, commercial and industrial water customers in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. New rates will be applied to bills mailed to customers after October 1, 2007. Customers will receive information in their September bills and rate information is also available on-line.

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