Families across southeastern Michigan could soon see higher water and sewer bills after the region’s largest utility provider announced another round of wholesale price increases, reported WWJ.
What’s happening?
The Great Lakes Water Authority said it will raise the rates it charges to local municipalities beginning in July. For the 2027 fiscal year, water costs will go up an average of 5.8%, and wastewater costs will climb 4.26%, roughly in line with last year’s bumps of 5.9% and 4.5%, respectively.
Local governments set the final prices that show up on your bill, but GLWA’s wholesale rates directly affect what those communities pay. When the wholesale cost goes up, municipalities often pass the difference along to households and local companies.
The authority was formed in 2014 with a pledge to keep annual increases at or below 4%. That promise has since fallen by the wayside as it costs more to run and maintain the system’s aging infrastructure…