Worcester Seeks Water, Sewer Rate Increase In Next Fiscal Year

WORCESTER, MA — Water and sewer rates in Worcester will most likely increase in the next fiscal year, according to city officials.

The water rate would rise by 1 cent from $3.67 per hundred cubic feet of usage to $3.68, and the sewer rate would rise 17 cents from $8.48 per hundred cubic feet of usage to $8.65, according to a proposal submitted to city council this week. City officials are estimating a 1.4 percent increase in fiscal 2023 for ratepayers who use the average annual amount of 62 cubic feet.

The maximum annual cost for eligible elderly homeowners would remain at $170, and the rate for out-of-town water users would remain flat at $3.93 per hundred cubic feet.

Commissioner of Public Works & Parks Jay Fink said the rate increases are due in part to maintenance costs, including the 4 million-gallon Lake Quinsigamond sewage spill in February.

"The FY23 combined annual increase is due to increases in costs for ordinary maintenance, salary and fringe, sewage treatment, restoring reserves used to address the FY22 Lake Avenue pump station failure of Feb and anticipated debt service on capital improvements," Fink wrote in a memo to city council.

Worcester has already spent about $345,000 fixing the Lake Avenue pumping station that failed during the spill, but estimates it will spend close to $800,000 more on fixes through May. The higher sewer rate in fiscal 2023 will help restore a sewer department reserve fund.

If approved by city council, the new rates would go into effect when fiscal year 2023 begins on July 1.