CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (WHAS11) -- Clarksville residents could be paying 50 percent more for their sewer bills under a new plan that goes up for a vote in September.
The city says they have to raise rates to pay for new government mandates.
Clarksville Town Council President John Gilkey says, “Meeting the federal guidelines for our wastewater treatment plant are not discretionary decision for the town. We have to do this.”
David Eve owns multiple properties near the Clarksville Wastewater Treatment Plant and says the increase is a burden many people can’t afford.
“I’m sure if you are on a fixed income it is going to be very dramatic,” Eve said.
The city plans to raise more than $26 million with the rate increase. Gilkey says the average single residential household pays around $28 a month, but with the increase that bill would go up to nearly $46 a month.
Gilkey says the city has no other options, because federal programs are no longer available like they were to help with the costs when the plant was originally built.
“You have to pay for the things that you have to do,” Gilkey said.
According to Gilkey, the best case scenario for residents would be a 43 percent rate increase. The council is scheduled to talk about the rate increase in early September. Gilkey says residents could expect to see a higher monthly bill as soon as June 2013.
