Water bills in Jackson to increase this summer

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to reflect the correct water usage cost to Cape Girardeau residents.

A wastewater rate increase to offset system improvements required by the state and to accommodate the city's growth was approved Monday night by the Jackson Board of Aldermen. Average water users will see a 56 percent increase in their bills beginning in June.

During one of three public hearings the board held, Stephen Randolph of Horner and Shifrin Inc. outlined the costs in a rate study conducted by the St. Louis engineering firm.

Reasons for the proposed rate change included the need to incur new debt to pay for upgrades required to comply with Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations for wastewater discharge permits, operating and maintenance costs, a DNR-required ultraviolet disinfection system, an inflow and infiltration reduction program to decrease sewer overflows and backups and the need to pay for existing debt taken on because of past mandated upgrades and improvements made to accommodate the city's growth.

Randolph said current rates are based on three factors: a minimum per-user charge of $4.62, a user unit charge of $2.98 and a variable charge based on the amount of water used. Of approximately 6,000 water customers, more than half use between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons per month. The rate for 5,000 gallons is $19.52.

The new rates will be a minimum peruser charge of $12.26 and $27.16 for 5,000 gallons. The user unit charge of $2.98 will be unchanged. The increase in the minimum charge will be to pay for fixed costs associated with operating the plant and paying debt.

Jim Roach, city administrator, said net revenue from the increase will go into a reserve fund to be used for future wastewater projects. The net revenue was estimated by Randolph to be more than $275,000 in 2013 but will decrease to $110,000 by 2018 because of upticks in operating and maintenance costs each year.

Mayor Barbara Lohr said the ultraviolet disinfection system -- estimated to cost $1.5 million -- must be completed by the end of 2013.

After the increase, customers will pay rates comparable to or below those in cities of similar size, Randolph said. Rates in Marshall, Mo., are $36.75 for 5,000 gallons, he said. Cape Girardeau customers pay $33.23 for the same amount of water, according to the city's public works director Tim Gramling.

After the hearing, the board unanimously approved the rate adjustment. The increase will be reflected on user's June 1 bill.

In the study session after the board meeting, plans for an overall water system facility upgrade were reviewed by Lisa Fennewald and James McCleish of Horner and Shifrin Inc. The presentation was an update of a plan made in 2007. Begun last year, the update included elimination of lime-softening at the water treatment plant, the cost of possible annexation of Fruitland, the cost of improving aging and undersized distribution mains and correcting low fire-flow problems. Taken into consideration was the availability of a DNR grant for upgrades.

The first thing the city needs to address is replacing aging 2-inch and 4-inch water mains, which run throughout uptown and the west side of town, Roach said. Many residents want lime-softening, he said, but the insufficient distribution system negatively affects the city's fire-flow capacity and is a higher priority.

Without the softening component, costs for a five-year plan of improvements were estimated at about $10 million to provide interim and long-term solutions for the water plant, not including operation and maintenance. Adding lime-softening would double that expenditure, according to Fennewald and McCleish.

Roach said the needed improvements would be put to voters, who could choose to make upgrades or let the system "limp along."

Two hearings were held regarding rezoning and permitting for a 180-foot communication tower built on Hilltop Drive. Action was tabled pending further study, because of opposition expressed at the hearings.

Aldermen also approved making the Jackson library part of the Cape Girardeau County library district.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, Mo.