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Council adopts sewer-rate plan after contentious debate over bonds, cash and consent-decree options
Summary
The council approved a multi-year sewer rate plan that shifts charges toward volumetric pricing and phases scheduled increases; debate focused on whether to fund Sand Island secondary treatment with bonds or general-fund cash, possible EPA negotiations, and customer assistance options.
The Honolulu City Council adopted a multi-year sewer-rate plan after several hours of debate over length of the rate program, bond versus cash financing for sewer improvements and potential negotiation with federal regulators.
Council approved a committee-origin measure (Bill 60 CD2) that restructures sewer charges to a 40% fixed / 60% volumetric split and phases a series of rate increases over the next several years. The adopted path (the CD2 passed on a 5–4 recorded division) will lower many ratepayers’ bills in the near term if they conserve water but increases revenue from higher water users. The CD2 also includes a customer-assistance provision to provide credits or rebates for low-income households; the program’s eligibility and structure were not finalized and will be developed by the administration.
The public and council debate focused on two…
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