Utility Rate Increases

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Planning for the Future: How we’re investing in water infrastructure

Since 2011, we have been strategically undertaking multiple large sewer rebuilding projects to replace pipes at the end of their useful life. The majority of the sewer infrastructure is 75-100 years old. We will need to maintain this level of infrastructure spending to adequately maintain the system.

The Past: What we’ve already replaced

From 2011 to 2021, we repaired and/or replaced 61 miles of sanitary sewer and 23 miles of storm sewer. Improvements replace end-of-life sewer mains, expand system capacity, and alleviate flooding during storms due to undersized pipes.

We have replaced all residential and commercial water meters. From 2011 to 2021, we replaced or relined approximately 16 miles of water mains. Given the age of our water mains, we are planning for an ongoing replacement program.

Sanitary Sewer Rates

The local sanitary rate will increase 0% in 2023.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is increasing their rates 19% which is passed onto the Wauwatosa customer in the sanitary portion of their bill. The majority of this rate increase is due to a drop in the winter quarter average used to calculate usage (see below). As a result, many residential customers will see their usage go down so the impact of the rate increase on their bill will be less than the full 19%.

Understanding the winter quarter average

The sewer usage portion of residential (1-2 family) bill is based on the previous year’s winter quarter. For example, 2023 sewer usages will be based off 2022 winter quarter water usage. The reasoning behind this method is that not all of the water used during the summer will be going down the drain. Some water will be absorbed or drain into the storm sewer during watering of the grass/gardens/flowers, washing of cars, going into swimming pools, etc.

Storm Sewer Rates

The storm water rate will increase 0% in 2023.