HWEA to increase wholesale water rate over 3 years

The Hopkinsville Water Environmental Authority is planning to increase their wholesale rate for the first time 15 years.

Hopkinsville Clean Water Plant hosts ribbon cutting. Dec. 5, 2024 (Daynnah Carmona)

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – During the Aug. 6 Hopkinsville City Council meeting, representatives with the Hopkinsville Water Environmental Authority talked through the upcoming wholesale water rate increase. They shared that it has been 15 years since there has been a rate adjustment.

HWEA has been selling their water wholesale to the Christian County Water District since 1973, and this adjustment will cause them to have to pay more for water before it gets to customers. Councilmembers discussed a proposed municipal order that would simplify their current three-tiered structure into a single tier.

In order to decrease the financial impact, HWEA made an agreement with the Christian County Water District to implement the change over the span of three years, starting at an increase to $3.07 per 1,000 gallons. Director of the Water Daniel Lancaster said that by October 2027, the final rate per 1,000 gallons will be $3.98.

Currently, the first tier rate is $3.95 per 1,000 gallons (for under 22,500 gals); the second rate is $3.24 per 1,000 gallons (for between 22,500 and 45,000 gals), and the third rate is $2.51 per 1,000 gallons (for over 22,500 gals).

Discussion about the rate increase began last year, with Lancaster presenting the possibility to the committee of the whole in November 2024. Since the previous change in 2010, they have expanded their water mains to accommodate growth. A wholesale rate study was done to review their operating and capital costs to ensure a fair and equitable rate.

Once the municipal order is approved by the city council, the change will go into effect in October.