Kennewick water and sewer rates are going up. Council vote was unanimous

Water and sewer rates in Kennewick are going up each of the next two years, after the Kennewick City Council unanimously approved a staff recommendation at its Tuesday meeting.

Starting in January, water rates will go up 5.15% or an average of $1.53 a month for residential use.

The increase will be the same percentage for 2024 for an average monthly increase of $1.61.

Wastewater rates will go up 5%, for an average increase of $1.62 per month for residential bills starting in January. The 5% increase would be repeated in 2024 for an average bill increase of $1.70.

The water rate increase was in line with a forecast from the last city planning study. But the last planning study for sewer rates had forecast a larger increase of 6.65% would be needed each of the next two years.

Cary Roe told the council during an Oct. 11 workshop that water rates in Kennewick are now lower than those in Pasco, Richland and West Richland.

Wastewater rates are lower than Pasco and West Richland, but higher than Richland, he said.

Even with the increases, Kennewick would maintain its place in those comparisons.

One resident spoke about the rate increases during the public comment period of the Tuesday night meeting, asking that the council not raise rates.

“We are in trying times,” said Tina Gregory.

Cary Roe, public works director, said the city previously had fallen behind on infrastructure upgrades and now paying for capital projects is behind much of the needed increase.

Projects include repairs and improvements to the city’s water treatment plant, transmission mains to move water and pump station upgrades, and wastewater treatment plant upgrades, including a project to turn waste into biosolids that can be used for fertilizer.

“The backlog of capitol is really the driver here — being able to serve our current residents and customers as well as being able to serve the growth that we are seeing today and into the horizon,” Roe said.