MIAMISBURG — Some Miamisburg residents are furious about their high water bills, but city officials say the bills shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Two years ago, Miamisburg city council approved rate increases through 2018 to fund an EPA-mandated water and sewer system upgrade.
“It’s not fair; people can’t afford it,” said resident Jessica Nestor.
Nestor and her husband owe $436 this quarter — an amount she says is twice her normal rate.
“I just thought, ‘Oh my god, how are we going to pay this?’” Nestor said. “It’s almost a house payment.”
Miamisburg homeowners are dealing with the largest rate hike they have seen at once, and smaller increases in the future are expected.
For a family of two or three, the average rate increase in 2016 is about 18 percent. Next year, it will increase by another 9 percent.
In 2018, the rate will increase another 3 percent.
“The important part is that anybody that has a problem with their bill should come in and contact us if they see a usage level that doesn’t make sense,” said Gary Giles with the city.
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