(Holland) - Fairness comes at a price.

            That’s the scenario described by officials of the Holland Board of Public Works in terms of the municipal utility’s water and wastewater operations, as they successfully convinced the City Council last night to approve a proposed rate hike for both those services.

            The plan would increase costs for water and sewer by 15 and 10 percent, respectively. Starting next month, the average homeowner would pay nearly the same – 17 dollars and 30 cents – for turning on a faucet or flushing a toilet. Commercial customers would be charged over 66 dollars monthly for water and nearly 86 bucks for sewer, while industrial concerns would pay over 423 and 348 dollars, respectively, for such services.

            BPW Board Chairman Jim Storey explained that the rationale for the rate hikes is one of fairness - in making sure that customers are paying for what they are using, no matter how much or little. The utility claims that, without the increases, insolvency of both services would ensue in two years. That's not an idle threat or a scare tactic, according to Storey, who adds that, despite the hike, Holland BPW rates are still a comparative bargain.

            BPW water and sewer rates had remained constant for three years prior to last night’s Council action.

-Gary Stevens, WHTC/WYVN News