MASSILLON – City Council has approved annual water rate increases for Aqua Ohio customers in the city.
The new rates, which start in January, will help fund system improvements for the water company, as well as facilitate expansion projects, pipeline replacements and upgrades.
Council members voted 7-1 on the issue during its Aug. 3 regular meeting. Councilman Tony Townsend, D-Ward 4, was the lone vote against.
An additional 5.5% charge is to be assessed on the total water bill of each Massillon customer, costing $2.68 more per month for an average customer using 3,900 gallons. The average monthly bill is estimated to climb to $51.31 starting next year.
The annual increase will jump by 5.75% in 2028, with continued 5.75% increases each year through 2031, according to the water company.
City Council is tasked with approving Aqua Ohio rates. Many public utilities in Ohio are required to seek local government approval for rate adjustments based on state law.
If city officials declined Aqua Ohio’s request, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio could have imposed a higher rate than the amount approved Aug. 3.
Townsend voted against the rate increases because he said all or most military veterans, seniors and disabled customers should summarily qualify for a reduced water rate. Aqua Ohio doesn’t have a “blanket” discount program, and instead reviews each person’s account individually for potential reductions.
Aqua Ohio serves approximately 40,000 customers in Massillon and Green, as well as Jackson and Perry townships. The water company negotiates the same rate for each area.
Stark County commissioners are tasked with approving water rate increases for the townships.
About 17,000 Aqua customers are in Massillon. Overall, the company serves close to 154,000 customers throughout Ohio.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Aqua Ohio water rate increases to start in 2027 for Massillon customers
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent | USA TODAY Network
