By Susan Lindsey
Staff Reporter
Concerns about water rates were at the helm of Tuesday’s regular meeting of the New Boston City Council.
In October, area cities and water districts contractually bound to Riverbend Water Resources District saw an increase in the price for water to reach the city’s water treatment plant. The municipal price rose from about $3.49 to about $5.05 per 1,000 gallons.
The increase included a $1.20 per 1,000 increase to Riverbend to repay debt service for a $500 million new regional water treatment facility that will be located within the TexAmericas Center industrial park.
“That’s not counting the infrastructure, repairs and all of that. That is to purchase the water period,” said Wayne Dial, city administrator.
Residents receive a bill which includes water, sewage and trash together with each line item broken down. Water rates are $24.60 for the first 1,500 gallons and an additional $12.65 per 1,000 gallons after.
However, some residents have taken to Facebook to complain, saying their water bills have gotten out of control.
“People in New Boston are having to decide if they’re going to buy Christmas presents or if they’re going to pay for water bills,” James Ryther, a resident, said to the council.
Ryther said he approached the city because he said his bill for the month of November was $200.
He told the council he was worried they were just going to brush off residents’ concerns.
Dial said he would be willing to speak to anyone who has an issue understanding their water usage.
“If you’ve got a question with your bill, please come bring it to me. I’ll try to break it down. We’ll look at your map, monthly usage, every hour of every day for that solid month. We’ll look at it and see where your water’s going, how it’s going and why. And we’ll try to come up with a strategy on what you can do on your end to fix them,” Dial said.
