GREENE COUNTY — The City of Oakwood in Montgomery County conducts an annual survey that examines the rate residents in more than 60 jurisdictions pay for water and sewer services.
The survey explained that rates can vary depending on major capital investments and are considered a “function of annual operating expenses.”
Oakwood asks each participating jurisdiction to complete a survey by late January. Results are computed into a tally sheet, then rates from previous years are compared. The annual survey found that water rates across the board increased by an average of 4 percent, in addition to an increase of 3.2 percent for sewer and 3.6 percent for combined water and sewer rates compared to 2016 rates.
Water rates
The water rates were calculated from 66 jurisdictions and were based on 22,500 gallons, or 3,000 cubic feet of water used in a three-month period.
The survey found that the highest rate paid in the area is $239.78 and the lowest is $55.27 — with both of those jurisdictions being in Greene County — leaving the average at $122.86.
The Village of Enon ranked the cheapest at $55.27, while the Village of Yellow Springs ranked most-expensive at $239.78. The City of Fairborn ranked below average at $96.75, which is still below Greene County’s average water rate that checked in at $126.95.
Sewer rates
Average sewer rates were determined across 63 jurisdictions and were calculated based on 22,500 gallons, or 3,000 cubic feet of water, used over a three-month period. The highest rate was $266.89, while the lowest was $73.73, leaving the average at $137.66.
Fairborn’s average sewer rate checked in a $143.55, while Greene County’s average rate is $172.07 and Yellow Springs’s rate was $205.05. The City of Troy in Miami County has the most expensive sewer rates at $266.89, while the City of Dayton in Montgomery County had the cheapest sewer rate at $73.73.
Water and sewer rates combined
Sixty three jurisdictions combined water and sewer rates were examined, calculated based on 22,500 gallons, or 3,000 cubic feet of water, used over a three-month period. The highest rate found by the survey is $491.91, while the lowest is $148.60, leaving the average at $261.73.
The City of Fairborn fell below average once again with a combined water and sewer rate of $240.30; The Village of Yellow Springs was found to have a combined water and sewer rate of $444.83, while Greene County checked in at $299.02.
