Springfield sewer rate hike takes effect next month

The third out of four Springfield sewer rate hikes approved by City Council in January 2020 is slated to go into effect next month.

The increase is designed to improve the city's aging sewer system and to remain compliant with federal Clean Water Act regulations, according to a news release. The city contracts with City Utilities of Springfield for sanitary sewer services billing, meaning customers will see increases starting with their August CU bills.

An average residential customer using six cubic feet of water, equal to 748 gallons, will see a monthly bill of $39.60, up from $37.63 currently.

While rates are going up, city officials say prices are less than other cities. Springfield's monthly residential cost is 18% lower than the average of Missouri cities and 14% less than the average of Midwest cities, while Springfield's monthly commercial cost is 41% less than the average of cities in Missouri and 43% less than the average of Midwest cities, according to city officials.

The final council-approved sewer rate hike in the series is slated to go into effect in 2023, according to past reporting.