Water and sewer rates could soon increase in the City of Washington. The city council, with a reluctant tone, approved the increases unanimously at their meeting Tuesday. The increases approved are 3.5% on usage. There is no change to base rates. So for water, the usage rate increases to $4.11 per 100 cubic feet of usage with the base rate the same at $17.85. Mayor Jaron Rosien explained the annual increases prevents a large increase at once and helps the system be improved, “So we could not do this and it’s the same philosophy as the 25 years before us that got in this mess, which is why we work really hard to not do big increases and not do base increases, but do small scheduled increasing. It’s part of our strategic plan about pacing ourselves. It’s part of a not fun vote, but necessary votes. It’s the one that will give you 150 angry Facebook comments.”

City Administrator Brent Hinson said the city’s rates aren’t out of the ballpark, “Really many, many cities, you know, to hear some people talk about it, ‘Oh, you know, Washington has ridiculous rates. And no one else is dealing with this.’ We actually, compare our rates to North Liberty’s some time. Our rates are a fraction of what North Liberty’s are. We’re just trying to do the best we can to cope with things.” The City of North Liberty’s rates are $16.12 for the first 1,000 gallons of water and $6.51 for each additional 1,000 gallons, and for waste water the base rate is $30.93 with $5.57 for each additional 1,000 gallons.

The first reading of the ordinance was approved, two more readings will be held before the increases go into place.