Milford residents will see their water rates increase with the October billing cycle.
The city council approved the increase back in June, and it went into effect Oct. 1 with the new fiscal year.
The changes came on a recommendation by the Nebraska Rural Water Association, which conducted a rate study for the city.
At that time, Randy Hellbusch of the NRWA said the new rates were fair compared to those of similarly sized cities.
The rate increase will help the city pay for its ongoing water main improvement project, which is being funded by about $1 million in American Rescue Plan dollars and $5.3 million from a state revolving loan.
That loan, which includes 40% forgiveness from the state, will begin repayment in three years, and the city needs additional revenue to be able to make the payments.
The water main improvement project is replacing 100-year-old water mains with new pipes, which will ultimately improve the color, volume and pressure of water to homes and businesses.
On Hellbusch’s recommendation, the city council waited until the fall to implement the increase as water usage is typically lower this time of year.
A resident’s water bill includes a base rate, or monthly service fee, and a per-gallon fee based on how much water they use.
The monthly service fee for a 3/4-inch line in town increased from $21.50 to $29. Service on a 1-inch line increased from $29.50 to $38.25, on up to $110.50 for a 4-inch line. Rural rates still within the city’s jurisdiction are higher.
Usage fees per 1,000 gallons of water increased from $2.30 to $2.70.
