City Proposes 10 Percent Rate Increase for Water, Sewage

Bowie residents serviced by city water may see their bills increase as much as 10 percent in the coming year if the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget is passed by city council. 

In Monday's budget worksession, Bowie City Manager David Deutsch explained the need for the water and sewage rate increase, which would cost most households about $12 per quarter.  

"The usage continues to decline and that stresses revenue. Our costs don't decline as consumption declines," Deutsch said. "We have to maintain the water lines."

The budget proposes to increase the water rates to $3.75 per 1,000 gallons consumed from $3.41 per 1,000 gallons and the sewer rates to $5.37 per 1,000 gallons consumer from $4.88 per 1,000 gallons consumed.

Other anticipated costs are replacing water pipes in an old system and replacing meters that are old and not calculating consumption as accurately as possible, Deutsch said.

Council Member Henri Gardner asked Deutsch to elaborate on replacing the meters.

Replacing the meters would likely be a multimillion dollar project, Deutsch said, but he didn't have exact figures Monday as city staff still needed to review some items before bringing a recommendation to the council.

Deutsch said the result would be better meter reads that accurately capture water consumption, which he predicted would end up with residents paying higher bills.

"But let's face it, people need to pay for what they're using," Deutsch said.

The budget also called for adding two staff positions to the water and sewer division: an equipment operator and a municipal services worker.

The council is set to continue its budget discussions April 29.

For more on Bowie's Fiscal Year 2014 budget, see: 

• Council Backs Short-Term Animal Shelter
• City of Bowie Budget Worksessions Begin Monday