City HallThursday, November 5
Youngstown water customers face a double-digit rate increase in January
The Daily Youngstown team
If you get a water bill from Youngstown, expect a bump. Water Commissioner Harry L. Johnson III told council's public utilities committee Wednesday that the city will pass along about one-third of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's bulk water increases. He called the preliminary figures 15% in January and 9% in 2028, and said the final rate will be decided in about two weeks.
The sanitary district's bulk water increase is largest on Jan. 1
Source: The Vindicator
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | 17.43% |
| Jan. 2028 | 2.1% |
| Jan. 2029 | 7.92% |
Sewer bills may climb too. Council is mulling a 14% annual sewer increase for five years to pay for about $404 million in federally mandated wastewater work. Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th Ward, said he wants to look at where the city can save first.
- Sewer today: $87.20 a month for an average customer
- Sewer under the current 5% plan: $91.56 a month in 2027
- Last water rate increase: 2014
- Garbage rates: unchanged through 2028
Youngstown's water and sewer costs by the numbers
- $404 million
- in federally mandated wastewater improvements
- $3.7 million
- in sanitary district increases for Youngstown over three years
- $38
- average monthly water bill at 5,000 gallons
- $53.20
- average monthly bill with the 40% markup
Source: The Vindicator
Ray said residents are already dealing with higher energy and fuel costs, and the city is exploring ways to offset the increases, including money from the general fund.
Sources: The Vindicator, WFMJ