HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville City Council Committee of the Whole has OK’d a rate increase for the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, which will increase the price of water for the Christian County Water Department.
The decision was made at Thursday’s committee meeting due to increase in the cost of labor, materials and electricity. The revenue will also help the city combat inflation, proponents said. The measure will now need to be approved by the City Council.
HWEA wholesale rate study
Director of the HWEA Daniel Lancaster gave a presentation on the results of a rate study they made earlier this year. “The purpose of the Wholesale Rate Study was to ensure a fair and equitable rate, to make sure our city customers aren’t carrying the load for our county customers and vice versa,” Lancaster said.
Through the HWEA, Hopkinsville has partnered with the Christian County Water District to provide water to the rest of the county since 1973, and in that time, there have been eight rate changes.
According to the study, labor costs at water treatment plants have increased 151% since the last rate increase in July 2010. An operator was paid $12.40 an hour then, and today they are paid $24 an hour. There has also been an increase in chemical usage and electricity usage the water treatment plant.
Current and recommended rates
There are currently three tiers for rates, which decrease in cost the more water the County buys. The first rate is $3.95 per 1,000 gallons (for under 22,500 gals); the second rate is $3.45 per 1,000 gallons (for between 22,500 and 45,000 gals), and the third rate is $2.21 per 1,000 gallons (for over 22,500 gals).
Based on the results of the study, Lancaster recommended simplifying this to a two-tier system, as well as increasing the cost through two rate changes.
The rate of the first tier will be $5.80 per 1,000 gallons (under 45,000 gals), which would be a $1.85 rate increase. The rate of the second tier will be $3.39 per 1,000 gallons (over 45,000 gals), for an $0.87 rate increase. This change will take place on July 1, 2025.
For the second rate change, the first tier will remain the same, but the second tier will increase to $4.25 per 1,000 gallons for a $0.86 increase.
Additionally, Lancaster recommended an added meter charge of $30 per meter, and a 2% pilot fee for CCWD master meters located within the city limits. There are only two of these meters, one in Pleasant View and another on Casky Lane.
Compared to other providers, HWEA has the second lowest rates in the region, and will have the seventh lowest rate after this change, Lancaster said.
Correction: The measure was approved by the Committee of the Whole. It will now go to the City Council.
STAY IN THE KNOW: Sign up for the free weekly Christian County Now email newsletter