Capital Region Water’s Board of Directors voted to approve 2021 budgets and rates during its public monthly meeting Tuesday, November 24, presenting a plan that ensures compliance with state and federal clean water obligations, continues investments in systemwide infrastructure improvements, provides for an expansion of customer assistance programs and works to avoid rate spikes in subsequent years.
Drinking water rates will increase by 2% from the current $9.84 to $10.04 per 1,000 gallons with a monthly “Ready to Serve” charge of $7.93 for a standard 5/8” sized tap. Wastewater rates for Harrisburg city residents will increase by 3% from the current $7.99 per 1,000 gallons to $8.23 per 1,000 gallons. There will not be any change to the stormwater fee for Harrisburg residents. The average residential property will continue to see a flat fee of $6.15 per month.
“Capital Region Water has and will continue to make prudent financial decisions that balance the need for critical infrastructure investments with the affordability challenges facing many of our customers,” said Capital Region Water CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer. “This past year has presented unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing pandemic and I am extremely proud of the work this staff has done to adapt and adjust. This budget is yet another reflection of Capital Region Water’s commitment to customer satisfaction and stewardship of our community’s water systems.”
Under the new rate structure, the average Harrisburg customer consuming 45,000 gallons of water annually will pay approximately $1.80 per month more for water and wastewater services. Capital Region Water’s drinking water and wastewater rates and the stormwater fee continue to be comparable to other utilities in the region.
As a municipal authority, Capital Region Water, which is audited annually by an independent financial auditing firm, does not earn a profit and invests its revenue into operating and improving the Harrisburg area’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
For more information on the 2021 drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater budgets and rates, please visit https://capitalregionwater.com/resources/financial-reports/.