The OWASA board of directors has proposed a 9.75 percent rate increase for monthly water and sewer charges.
The proposed rate increase would raise a monthly bill from $68.24 to $74.92 for a typical individually metered residence using 5,000 gallons a month. If the increase is approved, it would take effect Oct. 1. The proposed increase reflects continuing low water demand and reduced revenue from new-development connections due to the slow economy.
The board will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed rate changes, its 2009-10 draft budget, the 2010-14 Capital Improvements Budget and the 15-Year Capital Improvements Program on May 28. The board could take final action on the budget and proposed rate increase as soon as June 11.
The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on May 28 at the Chapel Hill Town Hall on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. All customers are invited to attend and speak or to provide comments by email to webmaster@owasa.org or by letter to 400 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, N.C., 27510.