MSD Eyes Rate Increase

Louisvillians’ water and sewer bills may go up again. The Metropolitan Sewer District has proposed a 4.8 percent increase in its 2009 budget and the Louisville Water Company is looking at a rate increase of at least five percent.Last year MSD raised its rates 33% to help pay for federally mandated sewer upgrades. MSD Director Bud Schardein says the new hike is also needed for infrastructure enhancements.“The rate will go for several things including flood protection, capitol surface drainage improvements, expansion of two treatment plants, elimination of the Jeffersontown wastewater treatment plant and a number of the consent decree projects," says Schardein.The consent decree is an agreement with the federal government to bring Louisville into compliance with federal clean water standards.A Louisville Water Company official tells the Courier-Journal that the increasing cost of fuel and chemicals will force an increase of at least five percent. That hike will be voted on in November.