Double-digit water rate increase in Atlanta, Cornelia

Double-digit water rate increase in Atlanta, Cornelia
By The Associated Press
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UNDATED - Atlanta's water and sewer rates are going up 27 percent, while in Cornelia, a 30 percent increase has been okayed.

The 15-member Atlanta City Council on Thursday voted 13-0 to approve the increase for the average residential customer.

Under the plan, rates will go up an additional $21 a month and would rise another 70 percent over a four-year period. The vote marked the second increase in rates since 2003.

Council members said the rate hike was necessary to keep the Department of Watershed Management from defaulting on outstanding bonds.

The additional revenue also would help fund the mayor's plan to overhaul the city's water and sewer systems.

The increase in water and sewer fees goes into effect in July.

CORNELIA RATES

In Cornelia, meanwhile, a 30 perecent increase in water rates has been approved by the City Council there.

For the average residential customer living inside the city it means an increase of about $3.50 a month.

But Cornelia water customers living outside the city will see an increase of about $5 a month.

The reason for the increase? City officials say it's the Catch-22 that is affecting water suppliers all over Georgia: conservation. Less water is being used because of water restrictions and that, in turn, means less revenue for the city.

(AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)