Town of Niagara: Slight increase in water & sewer rates to come

By David Yarger

Tribune Editor

Town of Niagara residents can expect a slight increase in their water and sewer rates come 2019.

On Tuesday, the board approved a 15-cent increase to the rates, with minimum bill and utility fees remaining unchanged.

Rates following the increase are as follows:

·0-8,000 gallons of water usage, $10; sewer usage, $25; combined rate, $35 flat fee.

·9,000-30,000 gallons; water, $2.65 per 1,000 gallons; sewer, $3.95 per 1,000; combined, $6.60 per 1,000.

·31,000-149,000 gallons; water, $2.70 per 1,000; sewer, $4.30 per 1,000; combined, $7.00 per 1,000.

·150,000-plus gallons; water, $2.90 per 1,000; sewer, $4.75 per 1,000; combined $7.65 per 1,000.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace reminded residents in attendance that the town does not control whether the rates increase or decrease.

“Our rates are dictated by the county and by the city (Niagara Falls). So, we have to stay in tune with what they are doing, or we will be operating at a shortfall, which is what we were doing for quite of number of years. We’re just kind of playing catch up,” Wallace said.

The changes were approved unanimously by the board.

The next Town of Niagara Town Board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019.