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Council probes sewer revenue surge, I&I and TRA treatment costs
Summary
Staff told council sewer revenues exceeded projections and attributed part of the increase to higher usage and billing mechanics; members pressed staff on inflow & infiltration (I&I) issues and the city's share of TRA (regional treatment) renovation and billing costs, which staff said consume about 84% of the city's wastewater budget.
Blackwell told the council sewer revenue is outpacing last year’s budget and that some of the difference may reflect underbudgeting rather than a single cause. He explained that sewer charges are volume‑based and often rise with water usage and weather: "The hotter it is, the more water you're gonna sell," he said, and higher water sales raise the sewer portion because the sewer volume rate is higher than the water rate.
Councilmembers also focused on inflow and infiltration (I&I) and the city's contract with the regional treatment authority (TRA). Blackwell said stormwater entering sewer lines after heavy rains forces extra treatment at TRA, which then bills the city; he told the council the city accounts for roughly 34% of TRA flows (with Red Oak at about 35–36%) and said TRA costs take approximately 84% of the city's wastewater budget. He recommended continued CIP and grant pursuit for I&I work and said staff applied to congressional appropriations for 2026 to help fund repairs.
