Wausau Water Works
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Water customers will likely see a 5% increase in their sewer rates this year, though further rate hikes were put on hold by the Commission on Tuesday.
This comes after the Commission considered both a 5% increase for this year and a 10% hike in 2024. After about ten minutes of discussion, it became clear that the Commissioners didn’t want to rubber-stamp the second hike only to find out later that it was not needed.
“I’m comfortable with the 2023 rate, but I’m a little bit concerned about [the proposed] 2024 rate without better clarification with some of the unknowns,” said Commissioner John Robinson. “I don’t want to tie our hands going forward and I think that we have some critical issues that we perhaps need to reserve some time to discuss.”
One of those issues is the actual operational costs for the new and improved water treatment facilities. Commissioner Jim Force says once those are clear, then they can consider more changes if needed. “I think that’s another reason to hold off on any future rate increases. We really aren’t sure what those operational costs will be. Hopefully, they will be manageable. Perhaps we won’t need the 10% increase down the road.”
Public works director Eric Lindman agreed that holding off on the 2024 rate hike is appropriate. “[We have] a lot of projects from corrosion control to lead service lines. I’m hoping some will shake out a bit more clear [later this year,]” said Lindman.
He then promised to keep the commission in the loop on those activities through reports and updates at future meetings.
The sewer rate is controlled locally, meaning no state agency or regulators will have to review it. The City Council will have the final say on the increase during one of their February meetings.
The utility is waiting on a response from the state’s public service commission on a proposed 65% increase in drinking water rates. A public hearing for that will be scheduled at a later date.
Sewer rates for Wausau water customers have been on a sharp upward trend. Since 2019 the rates have gone up more than 60% due to improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.
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