Macomb Twp. Residents Will Pay More for Water and Sewer in 2012-13

Taking a shower and watering your lawn in Macomb Township will cost more now that the Board of Trustees has approved rate increases for water and sewer.

These rate increases mean the average Macomb Township household will pay about more $7.61 per month more for water and sewer. The new rate is $2.75 per unit (a unit is about 100 cubic feet or 750 gallons) for for water and $2.62 per unit for sewer. Currently, residents pay $2.51 for water and $2.32 for sewer. 

The changes were approved at the board's Sept. 12 meeting to take effect during the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which began July 1.

The next time residents get their bills, they should notice the change. The hike was necessary because of the proposed rate increase from the city of Detroit. Many Macomb County communities – including the township – buy water from the Detroit Water and Sewer Department. As a result, the prices the township pays depends on the rates handed down from Detroit. 

Macomb Township costs for water and sewer are less than what residents living in the surrounding communities pay even with the rate increase, said Jim Van Tiflin, township engineer.

“Macomb Township is using its dollars that come in for water and sewer as efficiently as we can,” Tiflin added. 

last year, adding 54 cents to water and 31 cents to sewer.