Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Capital Region Water passes 2021 budget, average monthly bill to increase by $1.80

Capital Region Water works on a water main break on North Street earlier this year.

Utility bills in Harrisburg will be somewhat higher next year, as Capital Region Water has approved rate increases for both drinking water and wastewater.

At a board meeting on Tuesday night, the board approved both CRW’s 2021 budget and its new rates.

The board voted to raise the drinking water rate by 2% from $9.84 to $10.04 per 1,000 gallons, with a “ready to serve” charge of $7.93 for a standard residential customer.

The wastewater rate will increase by 3% for 2021 from the current $7.99 per 1,000 gallons to $8.23 per 1,000 gallons.

Under the new rate structure, the average Harrisburg customer consuming 45,000 gallons of water annually will pay about $1.80 per month more for water and wastewater services, according to CRW.

The new stormwater fee, which began last month, is unchanged at $6.15 per month for most residential customers.

These rates are the same as introduced at a meeting last week.

“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 CRW CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer, in a statement. “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.”

At its meeting last week, CRW also outlined infrastructure priorities for 2021. These include green infrastructure stormwater projects in the South Allison Hill and Camp Curtin neighborhoods, the continued rehabilitation of the Front Street interceptor and the ongoing improvement of stormwater collection sewers throughout the city.

In 2021, CRW also expects to complete the move into its new headquarters at 3003 N. Front St., including relocating the customer service center there.

For more information about CRW, visit their website.

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