Water Rates Rise for Repairs

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg residents will see a six dollar increase in their next utility bill. The increase, which brings the base water rate to $33.90, was approved at the April 16 City Council meeting in order to meet imminent water line repair needs. The rate adjustment arrives on the heels of a 3% increase that took effect in January.

City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe originally proposed an increase of $4.90 in December 2013 in order to fund needed line upgrades and well repairs. That proposal was rejected in favor of a 3% increase - $2 as opposed to$4.90 - at a December 2013 City Council Meeting, and took effect with January statements.

A leak in front of The Times building was repaired last November. At that time, the City was also aware of a leak further north on Main Street, in front of the Grain Grower's building. Because it was leaking into a storm drain, the City chose not to address it immediately. In the meantime, another leaking line has been discovered on Main Street, creating unexpected expense.

The rate increase will allow the City to gather funds to make needed repairs rather than taking a piecemeal approach - fixing one leak at a time. The City plans to replace the leaking Main Street line - replacing the old galvanized steel pipes with PVC - as well as replacing undersized and inefficient lines down Jay, Bruce and First Streets. Hinchliffe hopes the repairs will be able to begin in early 2015.