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The Romeo Village Council approved an increase of 20 cents to water rates and 30 cents to sewer rates to cover the increasing operating costs of the village’s water and sewer operations. The rate change won’t affect the most current billing period that lasted from March 15 to June 15.

Paul Bailey of Stewart, Beauvais and Whipple presented the board with the recommendation to increase those rates after he was asked to look into the numbers during a previous audit in the village.

“The increases are meant to keep up with the chemical costs and the new regulations for testing,” said Village Clerk Marian McLaughlin after the meeting. “Our fees from the state of Michigan have gone up and the chemical costs have gone up. The cost of maintenance at the water and sewage plant has gone up.”

The current water rates are $1.50 and will go up to $1.70. McLaughlin said this will only raise water bills by $2 per 10,000 gallons per quarter.

“It is still a very low water rate compared to other communities or other services that we have purchased,” she said.

The sewer rates for the first 10,000 gallons of water used will rise by 30 cents from $2.80 to $3.10. After the initial 10,000 gallons of water used, the sewer rates reduce to $2.10 - an increase of 20 cents from current rates.

The village is billed on a combined rate system. The water that is metered is also a measure of how it bills the sewer. McLaughlin said no separate meters are allowed. The combined rate system is used by the village under ordinance.

Under the new rates, the total minimum cost per household for 10,000 gallons of use would be $86 for both water and sewer. Compared to surrounding communities, these numbers are low.

In Washington Township, residents pay $156.80 combined. Armada Village residents pay $361.96 combined, Almont residents pay $239.70 combined and Clinton Township residents pay $109.80 combined.

Bruce Township residents pay $60 for their sewer services.

McLaughlin said the average home in the United States uses approximately 100 gallons per person per day. She said using this general figure is a good way for families in the area to determine where they stand before they receive their bills in October.