As it is in so many localities across the county, the cost of water and sewer are taking a greater percentage of people’s income. In Cleveland, rates have continued to climb until the area has the distinction of having “the highest water and sewer rates of the six largest cities in the Great Lakes Region.”[1]
The increased sewage rates are the result of projects with high price tags that will address the dual issues of aging infrastructure and improvements mandated by the federal government to reduce the pollutants flowing into Lake Erie. To address the federal consent decree, Project Clean Lake was initiated by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District to install new pipe over the course of 25 years. The initiative is expected to reduce the amount of raw sewage going into the lakes when there is increased rainfall by 4 billion gallons a year; however, at a cost of $3 billion, it is estimated approximately 40 percent of residents’ bills go toward this cost. Another project addressing the erosion of hillsides and riverbeds and clearing blockages from pipes adds an average charge of $5.15 to residents’ sewer bills.
Cleveland residents’ payments for water are similarly allocated toward repair and replacement. The Cleveland Water Department spends roughly $26 million each year for repairs and replacements on the 5,300 miles of piping that comprise the system, and approximately half of residents’ bills go toward this cost. These costs are in addition to the $1.7 billion the water department spent over the past 30 years “to modernize and repair its water-treatment and delivery system, the ninth largest in the nation.”[2] Nearly all of the city’s customers have updated meter-reading systems with remote meter-reading capabilities which have proven to be much more accurate. Additionally, the upgraded meter-reading systems are cost-saving in that they are able to detect leaks (often a running toilet). Once a leak is detected, the department communicates the issue to its customers who, in turn, address the issue in a timely manner as it has financial implications for them.
Although Cleveland’s bills are in line with the national average, the increased rates are affecting people’s ability to afford water and sewer, especially those who already face economic challenges. According to an investigative report by APM (American Public Media), “shut-off data revealed disproportionately high concentrations of water shut-offs in poorer areas and in majority black and Latino neighborhoods in every city.”[3] A rate increase was recently approved that will increase both water and sewage rates, even though the Division of Water was reported to have a carryover balance of nearly $200 million from last year. The utilities have gone to a monthly billing cycle from the prior quarterly system, but in the words of Ward 8 Councilman Mike Polensek, who voted against the rate increase, “The utilities thought they’d help [customers] by breaking up quarterly water and sewer bills to month-to-month. But believe me, that hasn’t softened the hit.”[4]
[1] F., James. “Why Have Cleveland Area Water, Sewer Bills Doubled in a Decade?” Cleveland.com, Cleveland.com, 3 Mar. 2019, www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/02/why-have-cleveland-area-water-sewer-bills-doubled-in-a-decade.html.
[2] F., James. “Why Have Cleveland Area Water, Sewer Bills Doubled in a Decade?” Cleveland.com, Cleveland.com, 3 Mar. 2019, www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/02/why-have-cleveland-area-water-sewer-bills-doubled-in-a-decade.html.
[3] Zamudio, Maria, and Will Craft. “A Water Crisis Is Growing In A Place You’d Least Expect It.” NPR, NPR, 8 Feb. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/02/08/691409795/a-water-crisis-is-growing-in-a-place-youd-least-expect-it.
[4] F., James. “Why Have Cleveland Area Water, Sewer Bills Doubled in a Decade?” Cleveland.com, Cleveland.com, 3 Mar. 2019, www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/02/why-have-cleveland-area-water-sewer-bills-doubled-in-a-decade.html.
Photo Credit: Erik Drost, Flickr