Politics & Government

Farmington, Farmington Hills Wholesale Water Rates May Rise

This year's proposed rates reflect a downward trend in wholesale water cost increases.

While the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is proposing an increase in wholesale water rates, it's too early to tell whether Farmington and Farmington Hills rate payers will be affected. 

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Water Board will consider new rates next month; rates would take effect July 1. 

The Free Press report indicates Farmington's wholesale rate could go up by 4.24 percent. In Farmington Hills, where a new water tank is expected to provide some relief from water rate increases, the proposed increase is 1.58 percent. 

But Farmington Hills city manager Steve Brock points out there are "a lot of moving parts" involved in setting the wholesale rate, not the least of which is how Detroit's bankruptcy will affect the process.

"We don't mind paying our fair share," he said. "We don't know yet if that's our fair share." 

If they hold, the numbers would continue a downward trend in DWSD wholesale water cost increases. In 2011, Farmington Hills' rate increased by more than 9 percent, and last year, by a little over 5 percent. Farmington's rate bump dropped from 15 percent in 2011 to around 4 percent last year. 


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