NATCHEZ, Miss. – City aldermen will be asked to approve water-rate hikes being proposed by the Natchez Water Works.
While details are still being studied on much more Natchez water consumers would pay, a rate increase is long overdue, said city Water Works Superintendent Tony Moon.
“It’s past time, and it should’ve already been brought to y’all,” Moon told the city Board of Aldermen as he notified it Tuesday of the water price increase being planned. “We just can’t push it back any more. Something has to be done.”
The last Natchez water-sewer rate hike was implemented in 2007 with a five-year, phase-in period that increased prices averaging 5 percent a year, Moon said.
Aldermen declined a phased-in water rate increase requested in 2013 by the Natchez Board of Water Commissioners that would’ve eventually generated about $800,000 more a year to fix and improve the city’s water system, which has sewer lines and water pipes more than 100 years old.
Natchez’ drinking water and sewer system is facing what Mayor Dan Gibson said are many “challenges.” While he acknowledged “no one wants to talk about a rate increase,” there are long-neglected maintenance-and-repair needs that are costly and will be more so if deferred.
Moon said water rate-increase options are being prepared for the Board of Aldermen to consider possibly in April. All options will be formulated “to spread out the burden,” on residential users, “be economic-development friendly” on large industries and have rates lower than what water customers pay in other Mississippi cities similar in size to Natchez, he said.
While the Natchez Water Works is part of city government, it’s a stand-alone agency governed by a board appointed by the mayor and aldermen. However, NWW rate increases require the aldermen’s approval to be implemented.
The city has received federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Congress enacted last year to help communities recover from the economic impact of the COVID pandemic. Funds can be used for water and sewer infrastructure improvements. The state also received such funds to distribute to Mississippi counties and cities, but the state Legislature has not decided how that money will be allocated.
Comments