Harford County plans lower water and sewer rate increases

Harford County may see lower increases in annual water and sewer rates, pending council approval. A proposal introduced on Tuesday suggests raising rates by 4.2% each year for the next five years. This increase is slightly lower than the previous rate increase of 4.5% approved in 2021. Under the new rates, delivering water will cost less than 1 cent per gallon. The total cost for water delivery and the treatment of wastewater will be around 2 cents per gallon. Currently, an average resident using about 4,000 gallons per month pays about $81.21 for both water and sewer services. If the council accepts the proposal, bills will gradually increase. For example, starting July 1, 2025, costs will rise by about $3.41, bringing the monthly total to approximately $84.62. In the following years, bills will continue to increase incrementally, reaching around $99.61 by July 1, 2029. County officials based this proposal on a study by the consulting firm Arcadis, which analyzed water and sewer rates. The county's water and sewer system is funded by user fees rather than general taxes, meaning the rates must cover system expenses. The main factors driving costs include rising energy and chemical prices, increased regulation, and labor costs, which have been growing faster than inflation. A public hearing on the proposed rates will be held on April 15 in Bel Air, where residents can voice their opinions.