BOWLING GREEN, Ohio, – The Northwestern Water and Sewer District’s (The District)Board of Trustees recently passed a resolution adjusting rates to match the cost of service and repairing aging infrastructure.
The average family of four using 6,000 gallons of water per month will see an additional charge of $1.47 for The District water charge and an additional charge of $2 for District sewer. This adjustment is in addition to increases from the cities that provide water or sewer (LINK TO MAP).
Our customers fund our system through rates, this is one of the most important decisions our board makes on an annual basis.” said District Board of Trustees Chairman Mark Sheffer.
Sheffer added, “In 2017, we saw our overall consumption decline, most likely due to the cooler summer combined with abundant rainfall. The District also saw a moderate increase in operational expenses, mainly due to aged infrastructure. With that said, The District has made a solid effort to keep the increase as low as possible.”
In 2017, The District secured $4 million in low-interest loans and grants through organizations like the Ohio Water Development Authority, Ohio Rural Community Assistance Programs, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. This year, The District was also able to refinance loans to save approximately $2 million.
Looking ahead to next year, The District will continue to improve water and sewer infrastructure by replacing failing water and sewer lines in Rossford, Perrysburg Township, and Northwood and servicing our rural areas such as Weston, Millbury and McComb. The District will also begin its lead replacement program, removing aged lead service lines from areas in Rossford and Northwood.
“While we have a minimal amount of lead service lines in our system, The District feels it’s important to replace these lines as soon as possible,” said Jerry Greiner, District President.
The District serves approximately 19,800 water and sewer customers in Wood, Hancock & Sandusky counties. With over $220 million in assets, The District maintains over 440 miles of water distribution pipe, 8 water towers and over 3,800 fire hydrants. Sewer maintenance includes 355 miles of collection pipe, 12 wastewater treatment facilities and over 5,000 manholes. Additional information will be posted online http://www.nwwsd.org/customer-service/payment-and-rate-information/rate-schedule/ in the next several weeks.
The District Board of Trustees minutes are posted online.
http://www.nwwsd.org/about/board-of-trustees/agendasminutes/
