GR water, sewer rates on the way down

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Amid all the financial gloom coming out of nearly every city hall and township office recently, there is finally some good news for many Kent County residents: You will pay less for water and sewer service.

On Tuesday, commissioners seemed almost giddy as they discussed the money they're saving.

"What was that? Water rates are 6.27 percent did you say, and sewer rates by 3.3 percent?" asked a smiling Mayor George Heartwell after officials outlined the decreases.

The reason? For the first time in recent memory, the city has figured out a way to cut the cost of delivering water and sewer services.

The new rates affect city residents, along with users in Walker, Kentwood; also in Cascade, Tallmadge, GR and Wright townships.

And the savings?

• The combined sewer bill for the average Grand Rapids city customer comes to $176 per quarter. If approved by the commission next month, that same bill would drop more than $9 per quarter in early 2011.
• In Walker, the average bill is $222. That would drop nearly $8 a quarter.
• In Kentwood, a $154 bill drops $7.50 a quarter.
• Cascade Township water customers would see their $269 bill drop over $16 every three months.
• In Grand Rapids Township, the average bill comes to $236 a quarter now, but would drop $11 a quarter in early 2011.
• And in Tallmadge Township, a $438 bill would be reduced over $18.00 a quarter.
• Sewer rates will drop in Wright Township by an average of $4.77 a quarter.

Cheaper contracts for construction work and lower interest rates are just some of the changes that added up to cost savings.

They've also reduced staff and combined jobs.

Enterprise Services Director Pam Ritsema gave one example.

"Staff has been cross-trained to stake both water and sewer utilities instead of sending a separate crew for each," she said. "And this work continues."

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On the Net: 

Grand Rapids water rates information (pdf)