What's happening
According to a Sept. 12 news release from the NHCRWA, the new surface water and groundwater rates will go into effect Oct. 1.
- Surface water rates will go from $4.55 to $4.05 per 1,000 gallons.
- Groundwater pumpage fees will be reduced from $4.10 to $3.60 per 1,000 gallons.
- The board has decreased prices a total of $1 per thousand gallons of usage this year.
- Combined cuts are expected to save NHCRWA customers approximately $60 million per year.
"When our board addressed rates at the beginning of the year, we acted cautiously but with the stated intent to re-examine NHCRWA finances later in the year," Board President Mark Ramsey said in the release. "This recent review revealed more revenue thus far in 2023 than had been anticipated earlier in the year, clearly enabling these additional rate cuts."
Taking a step back
The September rate cuts are the second time in eight months the water authority has made reductions in 2023. The board approved the first reduction in January, and according to Community Impact, it was the first rate decrease in the authority's history.
- Both surface water rates and groundwater pumpage fees were reduced by $0.50 per 1,000 gallons at that time.
- The first price reduction went into effect Feb. 1.
- The board voted to cut rates after finding a $30 million surplus in the operating budget.
