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City sewer rates set to increase 18%

City commissioners back the hike, which will pay for improvements.

By CURTIS KRUEGER
Published April 6, 2007

LARGO - The City Commission voted unanimously this week to increase sewer rates an average of 18 percent to pay for improvements designed to make sure untreated sewage doesn't spew out of the city system.

Owners of single family homes would pay at least $3.25 per month extra, but less than $7 more monthly, if the commission gives final approval to the rate hike at its April 17 meeting.

For the typical Largo household using 5,000 gallons per month, the current $24.80 sewer bill would increase to $29.04.

Kimball Adams, Largo's management services director, said the tens of millions of dollars of improvements to the system are designed to make sure the sewers don't get overloaded.

The city has an agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection to study its system and make necessary repairs.

Adams explained the problem this way:

Any large sewer system is going to have some leaks in pipes.

During heavy rains, rainwater seeps into those pipes.

So the pipes get fuller than normal.

When rain is especially intense, all this extra water can cause the pipes to overflow.

Sewage diluted by rainwater can bubble out of manhole covers into the street.

This is not a daily or even a monthly occurrence, Adams said, but it has happened.

DEP's position, he says, is "thou shall not have any overflows."

The money from the rate increase will pay to study the system for those sorts of leaks and to make necessary repairs, as well as paying for other improvements.

Adams said even with the increase, Largo's rates are comparable to some other local cities: more than some, less than others.

This probably won't be the last rate increase.

The city already has begun planning for an average 15 percent increase that would take effect in 2010.

Fast Facts:

In other business

Commissioners also voted 6-1 to transfer utility funds so the city can waive a $125 hookup fee for residents who want to get a connection for reclaimed water.

[Last modified April 5, 2007, 23:50:48]