This month, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan announced the city would be restructuring water rates in 2024.
The city’s water rates haven’t increased since 2012 — but starting next year, water rates will increase by 33 cents per hundred cubic feet (HCF), with an additional fixed $9 water infrastructure fee for residential customers.
The current water rate is $2.73 per HCF, making the new rate $3.06 per HCF.
Sewer rates will not change as part of this restructuring.
Following these changes, most Akron residents will likely see a monthly $10 to $12 increase on their utility bill. The rates are set to change on January 1. To determine your estimated payment when these changes go into effect on the February billing cycle, you can use the city’s calculator tool.
These rate increases are intended to address the issues that arise with Akron’s aging water infrastructure. In the last five years, the city made 9,746 water infrastructure repairs. Much of Akron’s infrastructure is over 100 years old. When cities don’t invest in their water systems — especially those for drinking water — disaster can strike, just as it has in cities like Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, where tap water wasn’t safe to drink or bathe in.
City officials estimate these adjustments will bring in an estimated $15 million in revenue to fund planned improvement projects like replacing the 110-year-old Brittain Road Reservoir, replacing water mains to minimize the risk of main breaks and replacing lead service lines. As of now, Akron has 2,550 active service line connections remaining and aims to become lead-free by the end of 2027.
New affordability program
Along with these updates to the city’s water rates, Akron is also launching the Akron Water Bill Assistance Program, a new water affordability program.
The program will allow eligible Akron residents to receive a 40% discount on their water bill, including fees. The discount will cover the $4 billing charge, $9 infrastructure charge and water rate.
The program is open to both homeowners and tenants. To be eligible, Akron residents must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a recipient of the Summit County Homestead Exemption, for disabled adults and people over 65 who meet income guidelines; veterans; and surviving spouses of fallen officers.
- Have received a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) letter of participation, for Ohioans with a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line who need assistance paying their home energy bills.
- Have received a Percentage of Income Payment Plus (PIPP) letter of participation, for Ohioans with a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line who have utility service from an electric or natural gas company regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio.
Applications for the Water Bill Assistance program will open on Jan. 1, 2024. Those who are interested and eligible to apply can do so online via email, by mail or by fax.
To learn more about the Water Bill Assistance Program and how to apply, visit the City of Akron’s website.
