Ames City Council Wants to Increase Your Water and Sewer Bill By What

Ames water and sewer rates, which have increased incrementally the past three years could see another jump in June.

Ames City Council voted on Tuesday to direct city staff to draft an ordinance asking for a 4.2 percent increase in water rates and a 10 percent increase in sewer rates.

The rate increase would go into effect in June so residents would see the increase on their July bills, said John Dunn, director.

The median residential customer, who uses 600 kwh of electricity and 600 cubic feet of water, would see a total increase of $2.86 per month, Dunn said.

Water rates have increased by about 28 percent in the last three years anticipating the cost of building the new . Part of this latest suggested increase includes the cost of anticipated growth north and east.

Developers have discussed industrial growth east of Ames and residential growth north of Ames in the areas around Ada Hayden Heritage Park, Dunn said, but the land hasn't been annexed into the city yet, Dunn said.

The suggested base rate increase is 3 percent for water and 5 percent for sewer and Dunn also asked for .5 and .8 increases in water and sewer for anticipated growth in the north and .7 and 4.2 percent increases for water and sewer in the east. Revenues from the increase won't be earmarked for growth infrastructure because it's possible that the growth would not occur or that the city would ask developers to pay the infrastructure costs, Dunn said. If that happens the current increase would be used to reduce future rate increases, he said.

The first reading on the rate increase is expected to take place April 24 at the council's next regular meeting.