Hagerstown officials propose water, sewer rate hikes: Here's what you might be paying

Water and sewer rates as well as the city's new budget are on the agenda for a series of hearings Tuesday night before the Hagerstown City Council, and city officials propose a three-year series of increases beginning with Fiscal Year 2025 to meet system requirements.

City officials propose raising water rates by 14% per year for the next three years, and raising wastewater rates by 13% per year for three years.

The first set of increases would be effective July 1.

According to a memo provided by Utilities Director Nancy Hausrath, the changes will raise the quarterly charge for 9,000 gallons of water from $25.15 to $28.53 for residential customers within the city limits, a difference of $3.38; and from $64.98 to $73.68 for residential customers outside the city limits, a difference of $8.70.

Council members get a look at the first draft of Hagerstown's FY2025 budget

Quarterly sewer charges for 9,000 gallons would rise from $79.53 to $90.30, a difference of $10.77, for residential customers outside the city limits. Outside the city limits, residential customers would pay $50.86, $17.96 more than charges under the current rates.

Sewer charges for 9,000 gallons for residential customers with joint systems would rise from $115.45 to $131.06, a difference of $15.61 per quarter.

Hausrath said operating and maintenance costs, capital improvements, debt service and contributions to reserves were considered in calculating the proposed rates.

The hearings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at Hagerstown City Hall.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown water and sewer rates could rise in 2025: What to know