Phoenix residents are being asked for their input this month on some proposed water rate increases. The recommendations would mean the average water customer would see a roughly $1.60 increase in their monthly bill.
Officials say the rate increase would help the city of Phoenix cover things like rising electricity and chemical costs in their water delivery and treatment systems.
But Kathryn Sorensen, the Phoenix water services director, said the main driver is infrastructure. She added 24 percent of the city’s roughly 7,000 miles water pipelines are past their useful life.
"We’ve been serving water for more than 100 years now. We’re not as young as we think we are. And it’s time to start addressing these infrastructure problems so that we’re not creating an even bigger problem for future rate payers."
Sorensen said at the city’s current rate, the water utility is on a 350 year replacement cycle. If the new rates are adopted, that would be reduced to 220 years.
