Capital Region Water at work (file photo)
Harrisburg utility customers will see their wastewater rates rise in 2023, though drinking water and stormwater rates will be unchanged.
On Wednesday, Capital Region Water (CRW) passed its 2023 budget with new rates for next year.
Under the new rate structure, drinking water rates will be unchanged at $10.34 per 1,000 gallons consumed. Likewise, the stormwater fee will remain the same at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.
The wastewater rate represents the sole increase for next year. For Harrisburg residents, it will rise by 68 cents per 1,000 gallons consumed, from $8.56 to $9.24. That represents an increase of about $2.55 per month for the average residential customer who uses 45,000 gallons annually, according to CRW.
The overall increase for a Harrisburg residential customer is roughly the same as for 2022, when average rates rose by about $2.60 a month.
“It’s a testament to our leadership that we’ve been able to keep rates predictable this year,” said Capital Region Water CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer, in a statement. “Even through inflation and supply chain issues, we are focused on finding equitable and responsible ways to repair the aging infrastructure, both seen and unseen.”
Katzenmoyer added that the spending plan commits $58 million to capital projects aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows, addressing localized flooding and runoff, and meeting state and federal clean water requirements.
“This also comes at a time in which we have doubled the investment in our Customer Assistance Program,” she said.
Earlier this year, the CRW board approved an agreement with regulatory bodies to slash pollutants flowing into area waterways. The utility plans to spend about $200 million over the next 10 years to stem the flow of untreated water into creeks and the Susquehanna River during wet weather events.
For more information on Capital Region Water, visit their website.
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