Higher water, sewer rates hit Kent customers this month

Kent residents will see higher water and sewer bills in February.

The City Council voted 7-0 last summer to approve the new rates that include a cost-of-living increase each year tied to the regional consumer price index to help cover ongoing cost increases to repair and upgrade systems. The increases include a new fee of $2.75 per month for customers with dedicated fire lines for sprinkler systems.

The new water and fire line rates will bring in an estimated $18.9 million in city revenue this year, an $1.6 million increase over 2016, according to city staff. The higher sewer rates, including King County’s Metro fee, will bring in an estimated $29.3 million in 2017, an $2.2 million increase from last year.

City Public Works staff worked with the council for more than two years to come up with a plan to help cover the estimated $4.5 million capital projects needed per year in the water system and an estimated $5 million per year for sewer system projects.

Residential water rates will jump this year to $39.95 per month from $37.83 for the average customer with a 3/4-inch meter and who uses 700 cubic feet. That rate will increase each year based on the consumer price index with increases capped at 2.4 percent until 2023, when the hikes will follow the CPI without any cap.

Commercial water rates will go up to $45.90 from $30.31 per month for 3/4-inch meters and 700 cubic feet of use; to $70.86 from $60.09 for 1-inch meters and 1,000 cubic feet; and to $127.26 from $94.61 per month for those with 1.5-inch meters who use 1,500 cubic feet.

The combined Metro and city sewer rates will jump 8 percent this year to $66.38 from $61.46 per month. The city raised its rate in 2017 to $22.16 from $19.43 per month. Metro, whose rates are overseen by the King County Council, increased fees to $44.22 from $42.03. The city sewer rate will jump each year and reach an estimated $32.62 per month in 2022 under the plan.

The city of Kent posted the following statement in its Scene newsletter about the rate increase:

No matter how much you like a service or how essential it may be, handing over your hard-earned money to somebody else is never fun. We understand that.

But when it comes to your water and sewer bill, the simple fact is the cost to operate these complex systems continues to rise. Your bill helps to maintain and upgrade a vast infrastructure that allows us to collect, treat and deliver safe, reliable water, provide essential fire protection services, and finally, take wastewater and sewage away from your home or business for treatment and disposal.

Of the 280 miles of water pipes and 211 miles of wastewater pipes, many are over 40 years old and need to be replaced to ensure their consistent and proper function. Given the age and condition of many of the pipes in these systems, continued investment isn’t just important, it is essential to the well-being of our entire community.

Besides the rate increase, customers with dedicate fire lines for sprinkler systems will also see the addition of a monthly fee for customers with dedicated fire lines for sprinkler systems. This new fee will not only ensure properties have adequate water supply in case of a fire, it also covers the cost to construct and maintain these lines so water is available when needed. There will be no additional charge for the water used during a fire, however.

We appreciate your understanding as we make the needed investments in our water and sewer infrastructure. Our primary responsibility and commitment to our customers is the clean, healthy and consistent supply of water and safe disposal of our sewage. These new rates will help us keep that commitment.

If you’d like to discuss your utility bill with someone, contact Kent’s customer service team at 253-856-5201. For more information, go to KentWA.gov/UtilityRates.