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Coos Bay budget panel hears large wastewater capital and permit costs; rate consultant recommends 7.5% sewer rate increase
Summary
Budget committee reviewed the Water Quality Division budget, which includes higher permitting costs tied to new NPDES permits, a multi-year capital improvement plan for aging pumps and equipment, SCADA/server upgrades after a cybersecurity breach, and a rate consultant—recommendation to raise sewer rates to 7.5% for fiscal 2027.
The City of Coos Bay Budget Committee on Tuesday reviewed the Water Quality Division's proposed Fund 3 budget and heard officials say aging equipment, new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and a recent cybersecurity incident are driving higher near-term costs.
Water Quality Superintendent Bridal Alotta told the committee the division manages 90 miles of sewer pipe, about 10 miles of force main, 50 miles of storm lines, 22 pump stations, two treatment plants and that the city resumed in-house operations and maintenance in July 2021. "We have 90 miles of sewer pipe, about 10 miles of of, force main sewer pipe, 50 miles of storm, and 2 treatment plants," she said. She described a recently completed condition assessment and a resulting 3–5 year capital improvement plan that…
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