On January 1, 2006, sewer rates increased by $0.25, amounting to a new rate of $2.50 per 1,000 gallons of water used. The previous sewer rates had been in effect since 1999. Since the rate adjustment done in 1999 was a rate decrease, the 2006 increase returned the sewer rates to 1998 rate levels. While rates have remained stable for the past six years, operating costs have increased 29% while revenues have decreased by 18%. In the next five years the sewer fund will incur costs of approximately $752,000 as we continue to maintain our sewer system. The increase in sewer revenue will be used to pay for operations and future improvements to the sewer system.
What does this mean for the citizens of Hopkins? See the analysis of the impact of the sewer rate increase at various levels of consumption in the table below.
Since the sewer charge is based on water consumption, there are ways to reduce the impact of the rate increase on your budget. Installing devices that conserve water is a good option. Consider a low flow faucet on the shower faucet, washing only full loads of clothes or running the dishwasher only when full. Other ways to conserve water can be found here.
| Analysis of Sewer Rate Increase | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumption in gallons | 1999 Rate | 2006 Rate | Monthly Increase | |||
| 1,500 | $ 3.38 | $ 3.75 | $ 0.38 | |||
| 2,000 | $ 4.50 | $ 5.00 | $ 0.50 | |||
| 2,500 | $ 5.63 | $ 6.25 | $ 0.63 | |||
| 3,000 | $ 6.75 | $ 7.50 | $ 0.75 | |||
| 3,500 | $ 7.88 | $ 8.75 | $ 0.88 | |||
| 4,000 | $ 9.00 | $ 10.00 | $ 1.00 | |||
| 5,000 | $ 11.25 | $ 12.50 | $ 1.25 | |||
| 6,000 | $ 13.50 | $ 15.00 | $ 1.50 | |||
| 7,500 | $ 16.88 | $ 18.75 | $ 1.88 | |||
| 8,500 | $ 19.13 | $ 21.25 | $ 2.13 | |||
| 10,000 | $ 22.50 | $ 25.00 | $ 2.50 | |||
| 12,000 | $ 27.00 | $ 30.00 | $ 3.00 | |||
| 15,000 | $ 33.75 | $ 37.50 | $ 3.75 | |||
Storm Sewer Rates
Also on January 1, 2006 the storm sewer rates increased by $0.50 to $4.50 per month. That was the first increase since 1999. The storm sewer rate is a flat monthly charge and funds collected are used to maintain the city's storm sewer system. Over the past 7 years improvements totaling over $2.6 million dollars have been made to the system.
Questions regarding these increases in fees can be directed to Christine Harkess, Finance Director, at 952-548-6330.