City water rates set for slight October increase

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Russellville residents will see a slight increase in water rates next month.
The Russellville Water and Sewer Board announced this week that rates will rise by 10 percent on Oct. 1.
"The water and sewer board has always tried to maintain the lowest possible rates without sacrificing the quality of our drinking water," Russellville Water and Sewer Board manager Doug Clement said.
New federal and state mandates the board must comply with and substantial increases in operating costs due to the slumping economy have caused materials and chemical costs to rise, making the rate increase inevitable.
"We have managed to maintain one of the lowest rates in our area and even with the increase, we will continue to be in that position."
The 10 percent rate increase will take effect Oct. 1. On the average customers bill of 8,000 gallons, the increase will total less than $3 per month. The average sewer bill will increase by about $2 each month.
"We hate to have an increase any time, especially now," Clement said. "But, we are just at one of those times where we have no choice. Our board has worked to keep the increase to a minimum and we hope it will be manageable for all of our customers.
"One way of looking at it is that you can go to the store and buy a 16 ounce bottle of water for $1.30 and we can sell you 1,000 gallons of better quality water for $3.74."
The increase will also allow the board to plan for the future, Clement said.
"Being ready to provide good quality water is something that we have to have to help our area recruit more jobs," he said. "No one will come if we have to tell them that there is no water service available for them."