By Joe Trueblood, Superintendent of the Sheboygan Water Utility
Effective October 1, 2020, the Sheboygan Water Utility will implement a water rate increase as authorized by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC). The increase will amount to $3.87 per quarter on a typical family household water bill, or an estimated overall revenue increase of 9.6%. The increase is necessary to offset ongoing expense increases including some associated with the planning of the upcoming raw water improvements project which will involve the installation of a new water intake pipeline into Lake Michigan. This pipeline will terminate in a new shore well and pumping station. The overall project will replace critical infrastructure that dates to 1887 and 1919, and has exceeded its normal working lifetime.
The Sheboygan Water Utility is a public utility in operation since 1909 and under the regulation of both the WI PSC and WI DNR. The Water Utility does not receive any property tax or other tax revenues but operates entirely on its own water revenues. The increase applies only to water charges and not to other charges on the “water bill” including sanitary sewer, garbage, and recycling.
Despite the increase, the Sheboygan Water Utility continues to have among the lowest water rates in the state. This is a result of careful fiscal management for decades. However, ongoing investment in critical infrastructure is essential to provide a safe supply of drinking water to the community in the coming decades. Additional water rate increases will be necessary as the Water Utility enters the construction phase of the raw water improvements project. The current construction estimate for the project is approximately $29M. The Sheboygan Board of Water Commissioners remains committed to maintaining affordable water rates while making necessary investment in infrastructure and keeping investment dollars in the community whenever possible.
The Water Utility appreciates the support of all customers, including Kohler and Sheboygan Falls, as it moves forward with critical projects.
