MSD approves rate increase

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Louisville’s Metro Sewer District approved a rate increase on Monday.

The average wastewater bill will increase roughly $3.50 per month, and the average storm water bill will increase by 68 cents.

Combined, that’s an extra 50 dollars per year.

MSD managers said the Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Plant is among the facilities in need of repair.

"Everything is near the end of its useful life," Alex Novak, MSd Treatment Facilities Director, said."We're really keeping it going with band-aids."

Novak said wastewater basins and lines that run to them are facing issues. He said treatment plants would begin to fail if the 6.9 percent MSD rate increase didn't go into effect.

An MSD press release stated the rate increase will help fund $14 million worth of safety upgrades at two vital water treatment centers- including 5.7 million dollars worth of fixes at Morris Forman.

A Spokesperson said a majority of the fund generated will also continue reducing pollution from sewer overflows as part of a directive from the federal government.

Novak said the rate increase helps, but there are still a lot of issues. So, this likely isn't the last time customers will face a rate increase.

Metro Council is required to take a look at MSD rate increase proposals if they exceed 7-percent.

This one was crafted at 6.9-percent. So, it didn’t need council approval.

“This year’s budget will allow us to keep making progress to meet our decades-long commitment with the Consent Decree to reduce pollution in the Ohio River, our creeks and streams, and meet the federal government’s environmental requirements,” said MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott.

The increased revenue will help fund critical drainage, wastewater and flood-protection projects.

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