HUNTSVILLE UTILITIES
NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 – 3:00 PM
Huntsville Utilities reminds customers of the approved water rate increases.
The Huntsville Utilities Waterworks Board introduced a five-step plan for water rate and service fee increases at the Huntsville City Council meeting in December 2012. It was the first proposed increase of water rates since 2008. Huntsville City Council approved the proposed rate increases. The third of the five incremental rate increases will take effect in October 2014.
The October water rate and service fee increase will result in an increase of the average residential bill by around $1.63. The average water customer in Huntsville uses approximately 8,000 gallons per month. Even after the five steps of the planned rate increases, Huntsville will have some of the lowest rates in the region.
This is the continuation of efforts Huntsville Utilities has made towards the construction of a new water treatment facility on the Tennessee River, and associated upgrades to the water system. This facility is currently under design with an estimated cost of $125 million. These rate increases will provide the funding necessary for construction of the facility and will enable continued economic development while securing an adequate supply of safe, clean, and dependable water for customers in Huntsville and Madison County.
“Huntsville Utilities has a long history of providing high quality water service while maintaining very low rates,” said utility spokesman Joe Gehrdes. “Even after these increases, our rates will remain among the lowest in the area,” Gehrdes added.
Huntsville Utilities is a publicly owned, not for profit utility with approximately 91,600 water customers in Huntsville and Madison County.
