Customers of Columbus City Utilities won’t see a rate-increase in 2018, but they should expect one in the coming years. That, from Utilities Director Keith Reeves.
Reeves explains that the utility is facing falling revenue and increasing infrastructure costs.
Reeves says that there is a need for increased capital expenditures in the coming year for the water plants, as well as the wastewater treatment facility.
Reeves says that work will begin next year. In addition, he explains that the budget calls for two additional employees to help accelerate the removal and replacement of lead service lines…
Reeves stresses that the lead service lines don’t pose a hazard to customers, but says that in addition to the age of those lines, a big reason for replacing them is the anticipation of federal rules dictating that they be removed.
The total budgets for both water and wastewater is $14,388,124. That is a 1.5 percent increase over the 2017 plan. The city council unanimously approved them during its meeting Tuesday night.