During a special Called Meeting today, the Macon Water Authority (MWA) Board of Directors voted to normalize its residential sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), effective Jan. 1, 2024, to bring them in line with the rate methodologies of comparable water utilities across the state of Georgia.
As a result of normalizing its previously adopted residential sewer rates for FY24, the MWA will be removing the 20% reduction in sewer consumption charges, which are calculated according to monthly water use. Much like other water utilities in the state, the MWA charges a base fee and consumption fee (also called a volumetric charge) for water and sewer services. Also common in the water industry is the practice of calculating sewer consumption fees according to water consumption. However, prior to the Authority Board’s vote to normalize its sewer rate structure, the MWA was one of just two comparable utilities in Georgia to reduce its consumption charge for sewer services, according to Authority officials.
In addition to normalizing its sewer rate structure to align with other water/sewer utilities in the state, the revised residential sewer rates – and subsequent additional revenue created as a result – will allow the Authority to address the continual need for capital improvements of aging infrastructure, according to Authority officials.
The bottom line for MWA sewer customers impacted by the normalization of the utility’s residential sewer rates will be a slight adjustment in their sewer volumetric charge of $2.10 per month – for the average residential customer.
“As Macon-Bibb County celebrates its Bicentennial this year, let’s continue to be mindful that some of the water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure has been utilized for almost 200 years,” says Ron Shipman, MWA Executive Director and President.
“We must continue to respond to infrastructure issues as they arise, as well as become more proactive in our long-range planning to address concerns of aging infrastructure before they become an issue,” adds Shipman.
According to Authority officials, even with the normalization of residential sewer rates this year, the MWA continues to have some of the most competitive water and sewer rates in the state, as reported in the Rate Comparison Study for water/sewer utilities published by the University of North Carolina’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC) and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA).
“This action today is an effort by the Authority Board to marshal the resources necessary to replace, rather than just repair, aging infrastructure,” says Gary Bechtel, MWA Chairman of the Board. “It allows us to provide our current and future residential, commercial, and industrial customers with the quality water and sewer services they demand.”
Media contact: Chris Wood, Ph.D.
P: 770-757-1681
E: chris@jwapr.com or john.wood@gcsu.edu