Sewer rates increase to cover lateral inspections

Brookfield's Water and Sewer Board approved a sanitary sewer rate increase to help fund the private property inflow infiltration inspection program in the city. The program is aimed at identifying sewer laterals that allow clear water into the system causing overflow issues.

In order for Brookfield to keep up with its bonding requirements, an additional $400,000 in revenues will have to be generated with the rate increase. For the average residential customer, it will mean about a 5 percent increase to their sewer bill, or $6 per quarter.

Based on the median Brookfield income, the sewer rates are just 0.056 percent of income. The new rate will be about 0.059 percent, or just a 0.003 percent increase. Despite the considerable increase in necessary funds, the city cannot go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and insist that these costs are burdensome because the EPA considers only a rate increase of 2.5 percent of median income to reach that level of being too onerous.

The sewer service charge will be $123 per calendar year for a non-metered single-family residence. For a metered residence, it will be $63 per calendar year plus $3.64 per 1,000 gallons of water used.

The money raised through the rate increase will cover inspections of about 75 percent of the homes taking part in the infiltration program, although Public Works Director Tom Grisa said he doesn't expect to have to inspect that many.