HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners have approved the first major change in water and sewer rates around the Yoder area since the 1990s. The fees will be used to offset costs associated with daily operations and to build savings for future projects as needed. It also deals with nitrate problems connected to the rural 101 water district. Fees will be going up in rural sewer district 201,202 and district 1. Fees will also go up in rural water district 101.
Water rates in the 101 district will go up to $34 per month and $2.50 for every 1,000 gallons used. There will also be a $500 connection charge.
For the sewer district, rates will go up to $30 per month for each residential connection, $37 per month for a light commercial connection, and $138 per month for commercial and industrial connections. There will also be a $500 new connection charge. There was some discussion about some of the major sewer users such as the law enforcement training center and how it could be better monitored for its usage. Public Works Director Don Brittain said that they will consider placing meters on some of the major users of the sewer districts in the future, but for now the flat rate is in place to generate funds.
Public Works also told the commission the rates will increase the flat rate by 2% each year unless additional action is taken by the county commission. The increases are necessary to keep the rural districts running. Most of the changes came to light after Rural Water District 101's water became unusable by those with infants due to high nitrate levels.
The county is currently working with the City of Hutchinson to bring water to the area. No official cost has been set for bringing water to the 101 district as of Tuesday's meeting, but Brittain says engineers are working on putting it together.
CLICK HERE to download the HutchPost mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.