Water/Sewer Rate Adjusted to Lessen Impact of High Inflation

The Hermiston City Council approved a resolution at the January 10, 2022 regular meeting to use a three-year combined inflation rate to set the annual water/sewer adjustment.

The annual rate adjustment has been tied to the single previous year’s inflation rate, but because of rapidly increasing inflation in 2021 the council opted to lessen the impact on residents by looking at the three previous years combined.

The 2021 inflation rate was 7.35%, but when combined with 2020 and 2019 the rate is 3.75%. The new rate goes into effect March 1 and will increase the monthly payment for a median residential customer by about $3.85.

Water and sewer rates are directly tied to individual usage and fund system upkeep and development. These projects are tracked at www.hermistonprojects.com. The annual rate adjustment allows the city to keep pace with inflationary costs on materials and offer predictability in annual rates.

Conservation efforts can offset rate adjustments, especially in the summer months. You can track your household water usage in real time at www.eyeonwater.com.