Water rate hike on the table
By Arthur McLean Editor

A water rate study presented to the Thomasville City Water and Sewer Board Monday night recommends rate changes that could increase the amount many customers pay.

While no action was taken on the rate recommendations Monday night, it is expected that the board will take some action on water rates in the near future in order to pay for continued infrastructure improvements and the construction of a water treatment plant.

While many customers would likely wind up paying more each month for water, a statewide review of similarly sized municipalities shows the new recommended rates would put Thomasville in the middle of the pack on residential water rates and in the bottom four systems for commercial customers.

The study was performed by Kel-Ar Energy Consulting, based in Sulpher, La. And looked at historical usage and rates in Thomasville.

Currently, Thomasville's residential water customers pay at least $11.35 per month for water which includes use of up to 2,000 gallons. The recommended change would eliminate the minimum included water usage from all residential bills and for the water system to begin charging for all water used by residential customers.

The minimum commercial rate would increase from the same $11.35 to $15.00 per month and the included 2,000 gallons minimum included per month would also be dropped.

Water rates would actually be dropped slightly from $3.67 per thousand gallons to $3.50 per thousand gallons for both residential and commercial customers.

As an example, a Thomasville residence using 2,000 gallons per month would continue to pay the minimum fee of $11.35 per month and would also be charged $3.50 per thousand gallons used, for a total of $7.00 per month for the example household.

Changes to rates for other customers like apartment complexes that have a single meter for many users have also been recommended.

Kel-Ar estimates the changes could bring in up to $408,882 additional dollars per year.

Mayor Sheldon Day, who also serves as the water board chairman pointed out that Thomasville's water rates are among the lowest in the county and would continue to be that way with the changes.

The company is also performing a sewer rate study.

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