SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — All residential and commercial water utility customers with monthly usage exceeding the minimum monthly charge in South Hutchinson have paid the same rate since January 1, 2018, without any increase, until City Council action on Monday.
This means that the overwhelming majority of South Hutchinson users have not had a rate increase, including that city's heaviest users.
Over this period of time, accumulated annual rates of inflation total approximately 20%.
The governing body agreed to increase wastewater rates across the board by 20% and to increase the monthly base charge for standard residential customers by $1.83.
A 5,000 gallon residential customer will see the following impact on their bill:
Monthly Base Charge: $8.39 (increase from $6.56)
Usage Charge: $15.30 (increase from $12.70)
Total Bill: $23.69 (increase from $19.26)
Net Change: $4.43 or 23%
Even with these rate increases, South Hutchinson’s water customers are still paying some of the lowest rates in the entire region.
At this new rate, South Hutchinson ranks 16th out of 18 cities surveyed, with only Clearwater and Hesston having cheaper rates at $23.28 and $14.20, respectively.
Hesston has not raised their rates since 2007.