EVERETT — Residents will likely see their monthly utility bill increase by about $3 by way of new utility rates proposed to begin in March.
The water rate will stay roughly the same, going from $47.45 per month to $47.97; the sewer rate will be going up from $77.91 per month to $80.27 for the minimum monthly charge.
The city updates its utility rates on a four-year interval.
Under the planned increases, the sewer rate will rise in 2022 to $83.22 per month, and again in 2023 to $86.29 per month and a further $3 higher for 2024.
The overall utility bill for the average homeowner would increase approximately 2.5 percent every year to 2024.
The City Council will be briefed on the utility rates at its meeting this week. A public hearing is scheduled for the Wednesday, Jan. 27 council meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The city determines its utility rates based on infrastructure needs and other obligations for the city’s utility system. Everett’s utilities are self-funded largely through customer sewer and water rates, but also by selling treated drinking water sourced from its reservoirs and piped to almost 75% of the county — an average of over 50 million gallons per day.
