The beginning of 15 straight years of sewer rate hikes for Lansdale Borough ratepayers — ranging from 3% to 10% — could be approved in the next few months by borough council, now that the public works committee voted last week to recommend the rate increases after eight years of holding the line, according to The Reporter.
The 15-year capital plan is meant to address the borough’s aging infrastructure. Sewer fees bring in about $5.4 million each year, with $1 million earmarked for annual operating expenses each year, according to the report.
According to the report, council will consider a 10% sewer rate increase each year for the next three years, then an 8% increase and a 5% increase for the next two years, and then 10 years of 3% sewer rate increases.
Lansdale staff estimates the quarterly sewer bill will go from $120 to around $160 after the third year, or from $480 annually to $640 annually, per the report. By 2028, the bills would be about $190 for the quarter or $746 annually.
Public Works Committee Chairman and councilman BJ Breish suggested a 43% rate hike in the first year versus spreading out the increases over 15 years. Wastewater Superintendent Greg Rapp told the committee that gradual increases for 15 years will “soften the blow” to our ratepayers.
Breish told council he did not want to put stress on households, but infrastructure repairs are needed.
“It would probably be even more responsible for us to be more aggressive with the increases,” Breish said.
Read more on the sewer rate increases here.
See also:
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