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.
