KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Higher water and wastewater rates will take effect next week in the City of Kalamazoo and surrounding townships.
The Kalamazoo City Commission approved the 14% water rate and 12% wastewater rate increases last night.
Utility Director James Baker says they need to meet new water quality standards, replace dangerous lead service lines and aging plumbing. Baker also says they anticipate having to recommend similar hikes next year, too.
The recommendation for the increases comes from a joint city/township board set up as part of a court settlement to oversee rate-making. who sits on the Utility Policy Committee says they also agree with the way the money will be spent.
The new rate hikes take effect March 4, 2022.
The commission also modified plans for how they bill industrial customers to accommodate complaints from Bell’s Brewing and other firms that would have been unfairly penalized for installing their own pre-treatment equipment.
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