Worcester Water, Sewer Rates Set To Rise In July

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester property owners will see water and sewer bills rise beginning in July.

The Worcester City Council on Tuesday approved the increase, which will go into effect July 1. The water rate of $3.67 per 100 cubic feet (CCF) will stay the same, but the sewer rate will increase 33 cents to $8.48 per CCF.

Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink estimated the increase will mean a 2.6 percent — or about $16.32 — increase for the average single-family ratepayer using 62 CCF per year.

Fink said the sewer rate increase is due to higher maintenance and salary costs, and continuing debt payments on upgrades made to the city's water and sewer system.

The city is also planning to begin the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan in July. The project was supposed to begin in July 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic. The plan includes costly infrastructure projects like replacing sewer lines and pump stations

The increase was approved with Vice Chair Donna Colorio voting no, and At-Large Councilors Morris Bergman and Khrystian King abstaining.