Fayetteville residents are paying more for water, sewer, stormwater and trash collection as the city works to keep up with rising operating costs and aging infrastructure.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The latest increases took effect August 1 for water, sewer and stormwater services. Solid waste and recycling fees will increase September 1.
Water, sewer and stormwater rates are automatically increasing by 5% each year under plans approved by the Fayetteville City Council.
For residential customers, the monthly water base minimum for zero to 2,000 gallons increased from $23.47 to $24.64. The base water rate went from $4.68 to $4.91.
The residential sewer base minimum for zero to 2,000 gallons increased from $25.60 to $26.88, while the base sewer rate increased from $4.69 to $4.92.
Senior rates also increased. The water base minimum for zero to 3,000 gallons went from $19.99 to $20.99, while the sewer base minimum increased from $22.39 to $23.51.
The city’s stormwater fee increased from $7.44 to $7.81 per month.
Commercial customers also saw increases, with the water minimum rising from $43.08 to $45.23 and the sewer minimum increasing from $46.24 to $48.55.
Solid waste and recycling collection fees increased 3%, from $17.50 to $18.03 per month. The separate $4 monthly fee for bulk and yard waste remains unchanged.
The increases are intended to help Fayetteville pay for repairs and upgrades to infrastructure that in some cases is decades old.
The city’s water system dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, with major expansions in later decades. The sewer system was developed in the 1960s and expanded alongside the water system.
The city has also identified more than $26 million in needed repairs and replacements for its stormwater system.
Water and sewer increases are scheduled to continue annually through 2030.
City officials are expected to discuss potential future increases for stormwater and solid waste and recycling fees in early 2027 as part of the Fiscal Year 2028 budget process.
TRENDING STORIES:
- US citizen detained by ICE at Atlanta Airport as he boarded flight
- Dangerous street takeover turns I-285 into racetrack
- Drivers killed, charged identified in crash that shut down I-85 for hours
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]