HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville Water Environmental Authority will gradually increase their rates over a multi-year period in order to support operations and help fund planned infrastructure projects. This proposal passed the first city council vote during the Sept. 1 meeting.

The plan includes alternating rate increases, slowing raising the sewer and water rates separately. The first water adjustment would be on Oct. 1, and it would increase the average customer’s monthly bill by approximately $2.15 for the utilization of around 3,740 gallons per month. The first sewer adjustment would follow six months after that in April 2027 and would increase the combined monthly bill by approximately $3.60.

Subsequent adjustments would continue alternating between water and sewer increases every six-months through April 1, 2029. Once the incremental increases conclude, the HWEA bill of the average customer, estimated to be $62.00, would rise to around $80.85 per month. This is an increase of around $18.85, according to a presentation from Spurr.

“HWEA’s board of commissioners and management recognize the significance of asking our customers to pay more. But we also have a responsibility to maintain safe and reliable water and wastewater systems,” said Melissa Spur with HWEA during the August Committee of the Whole meeting.

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Why the increase in revenue is needed by HWEA

“The phased schedules account for reasonably anticipated operating-cost growth during implementation, so the rates are not already inadequate when the phase-in is completed,” said the initial request from HWEA. They report that the plan is necessary to support reliable utility operations, maintain the financial capacity required for Kentucky Infrastructure Authority financing, and proceed with two essential infrastructure projects.

The infrastructure projects include the $11.5 million Moss Water Treatment Plant Granular Activated Carbon Project. HWEA says this project is required to strengthen drinking water treatment capabilities and support continued regulatory compliance. A KIA loan could provide up to $8 million for this project with $5.2 million in principal forgiveness.

Additionally, they are hoping to fund their $8.5 million SRF Phase IX – Priority 03 – Sewer Rehabilitations Project. This will address sanitary sewer overflows, capacity limitations, aging infrastructure and life cycle replacement priorities that were identified by their maintenance program.

HWEA says fast approval on the rate increases are necessary so they can proceed with KIA loans and preserve the principal forgiveness and favorable financing currently available. They could risk regulatory noncompliance if the projects are deferred.

The ordinance establishing the rate increase passed the first vote by the Hopkinsville City Council. The second and final vote will take place at the Sept. 15 meeting.

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