City Council approves new water billing rates and connection fees

Elizabethtown City Council has approved significant changes to water billing rates and connection fees, set to take effect over the next four years. Starting with the first 2,000 gallons, the minimum bill will rise from $14.46 to $16.70 in July 2026, and further increase to $18.95 by July 2027, reaching $19.52 by July 2028.

In addition to the base rates, the council introduced surcharges for extra strength waste and hauled waste. Leachate from Pearl Hollow Landfill will incur a fee of $28.15 per ton, while other types of hauled waste will be charged at $38.36 per ton.

Connection fees for new residential developments will also see an increase, with single-family housing connections set at $1,500 and multifamily housing at $2,000 per building, plus an additional $300 per unit. Non-residential connection fees will vary based on building size, with fees of $2,000 for buildings under 10,000 square feet and $3,500 for those between 10,000 and 50,000 square feet.

These changes aim to address the growing demands on the city's water treatment facilities and ensure sustainable management of resources. The council emphasized the importance of these adjustments in maintaining service quality and infrastructure.