ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Springs officials are moving forward with plans to raise water rates.
The rate hike means residents will eventually pay between $5 and $10 more a month for water.
Lou Miller, like many in his east Altamonte neighborhood, lives on a fixed income.
"After a while you have to cut down on other things. Thank God I have enough to make it on," said Miller.
But soon he'll have to make his dollar stretch a little more.
The city is raising water prices by 2 percent this year, 2 percent next year and another 2 percent the year after that.
"I wish they wouldn't of course. They could lower it to make me happy," said Miller.
"We have to have the money to do what's right for our citizens," said Altamonte Mayor Pat Bates.
Bates said that costs to maintain the water are going up, while at the same time, incoming revenues are flattening out. He said that is primarily because there is no new home construction.
"We are pretty much grown out," said Bates.
So the city has to tap the well of current residents.
The water system in Altamonte Springs is old and it takes a lot to keep the water quality up to standards.
WFTV has learned that the higher rates will put the city in a better position to start a $38 million utility rehab project that will include new lift stations, storage tanks and other improvements.
"We certainly have money to do that, but we need to make sure that we have a steady flow for anything that comes up," said Bates.
Miller said he isn't convinced that the rate hike is worthwhile.
"I don't know if they need it or not," said Miller.
The rate increases will take effect in October.
The price of reclaimed water won't change.
WFTV
