Water and Sewer Utility Rates Increased in Missouri

Salem, Missouri raised its water and sewer rates after the Board of Aldermen passed a new ordinance. Residential water inside the city moved to a $6 base rate plus $5.39 per 1,000 gallons, up from $3.88 per 1,000 gallons. Customers outside the city limits saw their rate climb about 39 percent, and commercial and sewer rates went up too. The change showed up on July utility bills.

Rate votes like this happen in small towns and large cities every year. For an apartment community billed on a single master meter, the increase lands on the property, not on the residents who actually use the water.

Submetering changes that. Each unit gets its own bill based on real usage, so residents have a reason to conserve and owners are not stuck absorbing every rate hike the city passes.

Learn about the benefits of submetering your real estate with NES.

Source: The Salem News Online