TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo charges its regional water customers a certain rate for service and consumption. As part of the agreement, it wants to have every contract community paying the same rate by 2027.
Matt Choma, the director of public utilities in Perrysburg, said about 70% of his city's operating budget goes toward purchasing water, about $5 million to Northwestern Water and Toledo since the city is part of the Regional Water Commission along with eight other communities.
The water rate will be changing for communities over the next few years. A full list of the rates Toledo will charge its commission members from 2024-27 is included below:
Perrysburg is looking at a 4% increase.
"It does affect what we're doing, without a doubt," Choma said.
So, will Perrysburg residents see an increase as well?
"We are eating into our operating budget, so that 70% becomes 72, 75%,," Choma said.
With more money going toward water, Choma said it would affect what the city can do and would leave less money for things like fire hydrants and water mains.
"That rate does eventually get passed on to our ratepayers and our customers," he said.
While rates for Perrysburg residents will likely see an increase at some point, Choma doesn't know exactly how much yet.
"We are going to be working with a rate consultant to determine what would be appropriate rates moving forward," he said.
Water has been a focus for years regionally ever since the water crisis of 2014.
There are a number of multi-million-dollar projects either underway or in the planning stages, like repairing the nine-mile raw water line.
"That is for having clean drinking water," Choma said. "Having clean healthy drinking water is critical to human health."
Maumee will also see an increase of its water rates, while Sylvania will see a slight decrease. Both had high water rates prior to the commission being formed.
Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough told WTOL 11 customers won't see an increase in 2024 and Maumee Mayor Rich Carr said discussion about an increase in water rates for residents has not yet happened.