GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The city of Grand Rapids has released a study on potential rate increases for water and sewer services in 2023.
According to the study, rates may increase by more than 3% overall for those living in Grand Rapids. Other areas that use some of these services are expected to see a smaller rate increase.
City officials released the following information comparing this year’s quarterly water and sewer rates versus what residents may pay next year:
Grand Rapids
2022: $99.90 (water); $140.64 (sewer)
2023: $106.14 (water); $142.38 (sewer)
Overall change: 3.32%
Walker
2022: $99.36 (water); $163.26 (sewer)
2023: $100.83 (water); $163.65 (sewer)
Overall change: 0.71%
Kentwood
2022: $101.37 (water); $97.98 (sewer)
2023: $105.75 (water); $99.45 (sewer)
Overall change: 2.93%
Cascade Township
2022: $139.89 (water); $188.19 (sewer)
2023: $145.20 (water); $191.22 (sewer)
Overall change: 2.54%
Grand Rapids Township
2022: $111.81 (water); $152.04 (sewer)
2023: $145.20 (water); $154.56 (sewer)
Overall change: 3.59%
Tallmadge Township
2022: $90.96 (water); $269.91 (sewer)
2023: $94.86 (water); $369.27 (sewer)
Overall change: 2.33%
Wright Township residents are expected to see a 13.59% decrease in sewer rates, from $197.16 in 2022 to $170.37 in 2023.
The following rate increases are expected to occur for commercial businesses in 2023:
Grand Rapids
2022: $502.95 (water); $946.92 (sewer)
2023: $537.27 (water); $959.79 (sewer)
Overall change: 3.25%
Walker
2022: $457.15 (water); $763.83 (sewer)
2023: $464.41 (water); $766.23 (sewer)
Overall change: 0.79%
Kentwood
2022: $439.07 (water); $697.56 (sewer)
2023: $457.71 (water); $709.95 (sewer)
Overall change: 2.73%
Cascade Township
2022: $608.08 (water); $853.14 (sewer)
2023: $631.45 (water); $868.26 (sewer)
Overall change: 2.63%
Grand Rapids Township
2022: $499.37 (water); $695.67 (sewer)
2023: $531.87 (water); $708.30 (sewer)
Overall change: 3.78%
Tallmadge Township
2022: $559.76 (water); $1,886.88 (sewer)
2023: $580.64 (water); $1,919.10 (sewer)
Overall change: 2.17%
Utility Financial Officer Jenessa Carter released the following statement:
“Asset management remains a priority for both Systems, and asset additions, combined with the increase in the return-on-investment rate, are the biggest drivers in this year’s study. Investments in water main replacements in the City of Grand Rapids and investments in assets at the Livingston Pump Station and Wilson Pump Station that are shared among several partner communities were the major drivers for the Water System rate increase. Integrated system improvements at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant (LMFP) also contributed to the increase.
"Furthermore, the Water System is continuing to focus on private lead service line replacements for City of Grand Rapids residents in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The State of Michigan Environment, Great Lakes & Energy Division (EGLE) regulatory requirements. With the Sewer System, investments in sewer mains in the City of Grand Rapids, including the first phase of the shared Market Avenue Trunk Sewer Relocation project were major drivers in this year’s study. There was also work at the Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF).”
Visit the city's website for more information.
Those wishing to offer comment on the rate increases are asked to forward them to the clerk's office at 300 Monroe Ave or by sending an email to watercs@grcity.us.
City commissioners are scheduled to consider approving the new rates Tuesday, Dec. 13.
