Potomac Cleanup Expected To Increase Alexandria Sewer Bills

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Building a new sewer system to reduce sewage flow into the Potomac River is expected to increase residents' bills for at least five years, The Washington Post reported.

The city is working on a plan to build new sewage systems by July 1, 2025, officials told residents Tuesday night. They say the cost of the project could increase residents' bills $264 to $432 per year for five years, but that price isn't final. Alexandria's fiscal year 2018 budget already will increase the sewer fee from $1.40 to $1.82 per 1000 gallons in anticipation of the project. The city will also introduce a stormwater utility fee on Jan. 1, 2018.

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In April, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed the General Assembly's legislation requiring remediation on four combined sewer systems by 2025. McAuliffe unsuccessfully proposed an amendment to extend the project deadline.

When it rains, an estimated 11 million gallons of raw sewage flows into the Potomac, The Post reports. The city has known about the issue for decades but just began to address it last year.

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