Needham Town Committee Recommends Higher Water and Sewer Bills

Changes to Needham’s water and sewer rate structure were recently recommend by the town committee. The proposed changes would increase the average resident’s household bill by around 1.8 percent come the next fiscal year.

If the changes are approved, water and sewer bills would increase by an average of $21. A $35 increase would then follow in the next year.

The town committee says the changes are necessary to meet the required revenue for Needham’s sewer operations as the town faces a projected $1 million budget deficit, according Finance Director Dave Davidson.

The Water and Sewer Rate Structure Committee suggests the town continues its use of its three local wells. They group also said the use of regional state water should be strictly avoided and only tapped into if necessary.

A switch to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority’s water system may result in a 40 percent rate increase, the town committee noted.

Needham has come under heavy pressure from the state to reduce its daily water usage. In 2014, the town exceeded the state’s 65-gallon per day limit, using 65.11 gallons of water.

The recommended changes are expected to go through and then go into effect starting on July 1, 2015.

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