Water, sewer rates may rise in Erath

ERATH—Residents of Erath, prepare yourselves as your sewer and water rates could double over the next five years.
An ordinance to increase water and sewer fees over the next five years was introduced at this month’s Erath City Council meeting. During the meeting on June 9, the aldermen are expected to gather public opinions and vote on whether to increase or decrease the rates.
City Engineer Todd Vincent of Sellers and Associates gave a breakdown of how much sewer and water rates will rise starting in July of 2025.
Residents of Erath currently pay $11 per month for the first 2,000 gallons of water, with an additional charge of $4.50 for each subsequent 1,000 gallons used. Starting this July, there will be an increase in the monthly fee to $17.50, which represents an increase of $6.50, or 64 percent. The city will continue to charge $4.50 for water usage beyond the initial 2,000 gallons.
Then, over the next four years, the water rates will continue to climb from $11 (rates today) to $22 by 2030.
Starting in July, businesses in Erath will pay $27.50 for water. By 2030, the new business water rates will be $32 a month.
The sewer rates for residents will increase from $16 per month to $25.50. By 2030, this rate is expected to rise to $29 per month, resulting in a total increase of $13 over the next five years.
For businesses, the sewer rates will rise to $35.50 in July and gradually increase to $39 by 2030.
Vincent explained to the aldermen and Mayor Taylor Mencacci why the rates will increase over the next five years.
He mentioned that when the town used two grants to construct the water and sewer plants, one of the conditions was to hire a firm to evaluate Erath’s water and sewer rate structures. This was to ensure that the town was collecting enough revenue to support the maintenance of the plants.
The firm reported that what the town is collecting today will not be financially sufficient to maintain the sewer and water plants in the future. 
The firm recommended the rate increase and the town alderpersons are expected to vote on it next month.
The last time Erath voted to raise the water rates was in 2013, and the sewer rates increased in 2019.