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Dover officials mulling water rate increases for first time in 10 years

Delaware Public Media

Residents in the City of Dover could see water rates rise if the Mayor and Council approve recommendations by the city manager.

Compared to several neighboring cities and towns in Delaware, Dover residents have been enjoying fairly low water rates for many years, according to City manager Donna Mitchell

 

“The City of Dover has not revised their rates for water and wastewater for 10 years now,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell says an increase now is necessary for several reasons.

 

“With all the capital improvements we’ve got coming up, we’re trying to catch up on deferred maintenance," said Mitchell. "When the economy was down, we made a conscientious decision not to increase rates, but now we’re getting a lot of water main breaks and sewer infiltration from tree roots growing in the sewer lines that are aged.”    

Mitchell adds that she’s proposing the increase be phased in over four years.

 

“It’s 7% the first year, 7% the second year, 6% the third year and then 2% the final year.”    

Mitchell says over the four years the average homeowner would see their rate rise a total of $100.

 

"It averages out for the average homeowner about $20 per year," said Mitchell. "The first year will actually be the heaviest year because we’re taking the customer service charge - the flat fee that we charge everybody for overheads and admin expenses - we’re taking that from $2.50 to $5.”

 

Mitchell says in that first year - 2021 - the average homeowner would see their bill jump about $53 dollars.  Smaller increases would follow the next three years - ending in 2024.

 

She notes the average residence in Dover currently uses an estimated 3,000 gallons of water, with an average monthly water bill of $12 and $23 for sewer.

 

She says the Mayor and Council are expected to vote on the increase in May.

 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.