Macomb Twp. Increases Water and Sewer Rates for 2011-12

Macomb Township water and sewer customers will find their next bill slightly higher after township trustees approved increased rates on Wednesday.

For customers, this will mean an increase of 54 cents for water and 31 cents for sewer as of July 1, 2011. 

Out of every dollar paid for water, 87 cents goes to Detroit and 13 cents to the township. On the sewer side, out of every dollar paid, 90 cents goes to Detroit and 10 cents to the township.

*Rate is per unit. Per unit is defined as per 100 cubic feet.

In terms of average monthly cost, customers will see an increase of $9.86 for water and $3.32 for sewer, according to calculations by the .

“Macomb still has very good water and sewer rates in comparison to surrounding communities,” said James Van Tiflin, project manager of the township’s engineering consulting firm Spalding DeDecker Associations, Inc.

However, he added, it is up to residents to ensure Macomb’s rates remain on the low end of the cost spectrum.

“We want to stress keeping control of water rates,” Van Tiflin said. “There is not much that can be done by customers on the sewer side, but on the water side there definitely is.”

In an effort to control rates, the township adopted an two years ago. While many residents confuse the ordinance as a conservation effort, Van Tiflin said it is actually meant as a cost-effective measure.

“It’s very important that we use water at the right time,” he said. “It will hit us in the pocketbook if we don’t get it under control.”

The Detroit Water and Sewer Department does not penalize overnight water use when it sets its rates, meaning that any water used by the township between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. is not taken into account when Detroit sets Macomb’s rates.

“It’s not about using any less water,” Van Tiflin said. “We want (residents) to use it when it won’t hurt the township’s rates.

“We are trying to really focus on the public education part of this. The Water and Sewer Department doesn’t want to be the water cop going around writing tickets and whatnot. We’re asking residents to educate themselves on what these requirements are.”

Should a township resident, or subdivision be found violating the ordinance, Water and Sewer Superintendent Gerry Wangelin said service to the meter found in violation will be shut off and the owner contacted. When the meter’s owner is found to be in compliance with the ordinance, service will be restored.

To review the township’s watering schedule, click .

Lateral Rates Increase

The township board also approved the increase of lateral water and sewer rates by $20 and $25, respectively.

Lateral rates are charged by the township when a new property connects to the public water and sewer system. The fee is based on the property's total frontage along a water or sewer line for which the owner has not already paid for the installation.

These fees are intended to ensure that all properties that benefit from these utilities contribute to the cost of their installation.