Water rates to rise in Cumberland

CUMBERLAND — Homeowners in Cumberland will see their annual water bills go up next year, according to new water rates approved by the Town Council last week.

A public hearing on the new rate adjustments was held Tuesday following a presentation by Water Department Superintendent Chris Champi, who recommended the rate increase to cover the debt service, principal and interest payments and fees associated with Phase II of the Diamond Hill Road water main replacement project.

According to Champi, the only change in the water rate schedule will be the infrastructure surcharge, which will increase by 50 cents from $1.42 to $1.92 per thousand gallons used.

That means a family of four using 100,000 gallons would see an average yearly water bill increase of $50 or $12.50 per quarter.

“No one likes to see an increase in any bill, but this is consistent with what was discussed in the December rate study,” noted Councilman Scott R. Schmitt. “The bottom line is you have to pay to replace things.”

Champi said there hasn’t been a rate increase for town water since 2016.

The increase will cover costs associated with Phase II of the Diamond Hill Road and Newall and Grants Mill Bridge water main replacement projects.

“We’re looking to borrow about $4 million and the annual debt service on that is about $265,000,” said Champi. “Based on us selling 640 million gallons that should generate about $320,000 of revenue.”

Champi said money above the debt service payments will be used to fund future projects down the road.