In 2023, the Town conducted a comprehensive water, wastewater, and non-potable rate study to ensure it was collecting enough revenue to cover utility operations, maintenance, and capital reinvestment costs or replacement projects. The study, conducted by Raftelis, a third-party consulting firm, revealed that the current utility rates were not sufficiently covering all necessary operational costs. To ensure the Town’s water, wastewater, and non-potable services are adequately funded to meet the community's needs, the Town will raise utility rates effective April 1, 2024, and customers will see their first new bill at the beginning of May since the Town bills in arrears. The rate increase also includes a new tiered system for residential rates. The Town Board adopted the new rates at the February 15, 2024, Board meeting via resolution No. 2024-05.
What will the rate increase be used for?
The rate increase will cover regular operations, maintenance, capital replacement, and reinvestment costs. Increases to tap fees will help fund the Town’s participation in the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), participation in the Cobb Lake Regional Water Treatment Authority.
Why is a rate increase needed now?
The Town of Eaton has not conducted a comprehensive rate study in over a decade, even though the cost to provide water and wastewater services has continued to increase. If the rates do not increase, more severe or urgent increases may be needed in the future. To avoid an even larger funding gap and to fund future infrastructure needs, a rate increase, as recommended by the rate study, is necessary now.
Residential Customers Rate Information
Residential customers can expect to see the base water rate increase from $49.12 to $58.09 per month. The base rate covers 0-4,000 gallons, which did not change. All residents are billed at the 5/8- and 3/4-inch rates for water. Rates for residential water usage exceeding 4,000 gallons a month can be found in the tables below.
Residential customers can expect to see the base sewer rate increase from $29.15 to $33.48 per month. This is a flat monthly rate.
Customers with non-potable irrigation can see their increase in the table below.
Additional Information
Commercial customers can find updated rate information in the tables below.
Water Rates - Residential
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Meter Size |
Monthly Base |
Meter Size |
Monthly Base |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$49.12 |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$58.09 |
1 inch |
$49.12 |
1 inch |
72.40 |
1.5 inch |
$49.12 |
1.5 inch |
108.75 |
2 inch |
$49.12 |
2 inch |
154.19 |
|
|
|
|
Usage |
Rate per Kgal |
Usage |
Rate per Kgal |
0-4K |
$0.00 |
0-4K |
0.00 |
5K+ |
7.99 |
5-10K |
5.67 |
|
|
11-20K |
10.63 |
|
|
21K+ |
15.95 |
Water Rates – Commercial
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Meter Size |
Monthly Base |
Meter Size |
Monthly Base |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$49.12 |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$24.93 |
1 inch |
49.12 |
1 inch |
39.25 |
1.5 inch |
49.12 |
1.5 inch |
75.60 |
2 inch |
49.12 |
2 inch |
121.04 |
3 inch |
49.12 |
3 inch |
227.26 |
4 inch |
49.12 |
4 inch |
362.21 |
6 inch |
49.12 |
6 inch |
694.13 |
Usage |
Rate per Kgal |
Usage |
Rate per Kgal |
0-4K |
$0.00 |
All Usage |
$9.56 |
5K+ |
7.99 |
|
|
Bulk Water
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Water Station |
$15.37 per Kgal |
Water Station |
$18.44 per Kgal |
Hydrant Meter Rental |
$11.00 per day |
Hydrant Meter Rental |
$13.20 per day |
Hydrant Meter Usage |
$15.37 per Kgal |
Hydrant Meter Usage |
$18.44 per Kgal |
Water Tap Fees
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Meter Size |
Tap Fee |
Meter Size |
Tap Fee |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$13,494 |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$17,159 |
1 inch |
17,300 |
1 inch |
21,999 |
1.5 inch |
33,500 |
1.5 inch |
42,599 |
2 inch |
53,800 |
2 inch |
68,412 |
3 inch |
111,500 |
3 inch |
141,784 |
4 inch |
172,400 |
4 inch |
219,224 |
6 inch |
49.12 |
6 inch |
694.13 |
Sewer Rates - Residential
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Flat Rate |
$29.15 |
Flat Rate |
$33.48 |
Sewer Rates - Commercial
Old Rates |
|
|
New Rates |
|
Commercial |
Monthly Base |
Unit Charge |
Monthly Base |
Volume Rate |
Class I |
$15.40 |
$4.07 per Kgal |
$9.51 |
$7.32 per Kgal |
Class II |
|
$1.45 per student |
|
|
Class III |
|
$23.65 per machine |
|
|
Class IV |
$29.15 |
|
|
|
Industrial |
|
|
|
|
Harsh |
$990.00 |
|
|
|
Agfinity |
204.60 |
|
|
|
Eaton CC |
173.80 |
|
|
|
Early Learning Center |
36.30 |
|
|
|
Sewer Tap Fees (No Change)
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Meter Size |
Tap Fee |
Meter Size |
Tap Fee |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$3,000 |
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$3,000 |
1 inch |
5,095 |
1 inch |
5,095 |
1.5 inch |
9,892 |
1.5 inch |
9,892 |
2 inch |
15,886 |
2 inch |
15,886 |
3 inch |
32,972 |
3 inch |
32,972 |
4 inch |
50,957 |
4 inch |
50,957 |
6 inch |
49.12 |
6 inch |
694.13 |
Non-Potable Rates
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
Residential |
Flat Rate |
Residential (unmetered) |
Flat Rate |
0-4,000 sf lot |
$17.70 |
0-4,000 sf lot |
$20.36 |
4,001 – 8,000 sf |
19.70 |
4,001 – 8,000 sf |
22.66 |
8,001 – 12,000 sf |
21.70 |
8,001 – 12,000 sf |
24.96 |
> 12,000 sf |
23.70 |
> 12,000 sf |
27.26 |
Commercial |
$.028 per sf of landscaping |
Commercial (unmetered) |
$.028 per sf of landscaping |
|
|
Metered |
Base |
|
|
5/8 & 3/4 inch |
$24.93 |
|
|
1 inch |
39.25 |
|
|
1.5 inch |
75.60 |
|
|
2 inch |
121.04 |
|
|
3 inch |
227.26 |
|
|
4 inch |
362.21 |
|
|
6 inch |
694.13 |
|
|
Volume Rate |
|
|
|
Per Kgal |
$0.78 |
Late Fee
Old Rates |
|
New Rates |
|
No Late Fee |
|
All outstanding charges |
5% |