The Rapid City Common Council delayed voting on two resolutions that could possibly raise water utility prices to give residents more time to review its content.
The proposals, which would amend rates for water and water reclamation utilities, was a big discussion piece at the most recent city council meeting.
Eddie Lopez is the project manager for the water reclamation plant. He said there are problems that need addressing at Rapid City’s facilities.
“We’re optimistic that Rapid City is growing, there’s additional flows that are experiencing out there at the plant. We would not be able to meet that anticipated growth,” Lopez said. “However, the south plant expansion project is considering that growth and would be able to meet treatment regulations. The north trickling filter is in need of repair. Time for replacement has come.”
Challenges like these are parts of the puzzle leading to the proposed rate hike. The proposals in question would advance a 10% annual increase for water and 12% for wastewater over the next five years. The current average water bill would increase by about four dollars monthly.
Over that timeframe, the hike would result in average monthly residential water bills rising to over $60 and wastewater to over $55.
Council president John Roberts said with numbers like that, the public should be in the know.
“Now we’re talking about a 60% increase on the water side and a 72% increase on the sewer side in the next five years. The impact is going to hit right away – for everybody,” Roberts said. “I think we’re just not being very open with the public about what we’re doing right now. I know we absolutely need to do this project – we have to do it, I’m going to vote to do this project – it’s just a matter of how we fund it and how the taxpayers are looking at it.”
Proposed changes to city water policy will next be addressed at the Dec. 18 council meeting.
