Village of Allouez Water and Sanitary Sewer Customers – Notice of Rate Increases

 Water Rate

This is a reminder that the Village of Allouez under went a water rate study in 2021. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin authorized updated water rates with an effective date of January 1, 2022. The new rates will apply to your February bill which accounts for January water usage.

 

The increase was necessary due to the increased cost to operate the Village’s water distribution system and repair aging infrastructure.  The last water rate case was completed in 2020. The water bill for an average residential customer with a 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch meter who uses 3,000 gallons of water per month will increase from $37.03 to $40.25 (including the public fire protection charge). Please see the attached table to view the estimated impact the water rate increase will have on your total monthly utility bill.

Sewer Rate

The Village Board earlier this year approved an increase to the rates charged for sanitary sewer.  The approved rates are effective as of January 1, 2022.  The last sewer rate case was completed in 2016.

 

Sewer rates are changing due to higher charges from NEW Water (Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District) to treat our wastewater, the repair and replacement of aging lines in older neighborhoods, and the need to cover fixed costs at a time total volume is steady or declining thanks to improved conservation and leak prevention.

The sewer bill for an average residential customer with a 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch meter who uses 3,000 gallons of water per month will increase from $28.72 to $34.77. Please see the attached table to view the estimated impact the sanitary sewer rate increases will have on your total monthly utility bill.

Background

Public health and environmental protection are high priorities. The Village of Allouez secured a safe, long-term source of drinking water in the early 2000s by collaborating with neighboring communities on a new Lake Michigan pipeline to replace declining groundwater wells. At the same time, our regional waste-treatment provider, NEW Water, continues to invest in advanced technology to match rising public expectations for a cleaner bay and river.

 

Obviously, costs are substantial. The Village does what it can to limit sewer and water rate increases, but two primary drivers – external waste-treatment and water-supply charges – are beyond the direct control of current officials and staff.

 

Allouez will continue to manage utility infrastructure within our boundaries so as to limit additional costs to ratepayers. This is evidenced by reduction in our utility-operator workforce, the use of innovative technology in trenchless repair of underground utilities, and a proactive approach to early detection of minor system defects before they become major, costly problems.  As always, we avoid special assessments for utility repairs and improvements and instead share those costs across the community. Our staff members look forward to continuing to provide exceptional services while focusing on controlling costs. 

 

Questions? Please contact the Allouez Utility Department (920) 448-2808.