Water and wastewater rates in the City and Borough of Juneau will increase 2% starting July 1. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

Water and wastewater rates in the City and Borough of Juneau will increase 2% starting July 1. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

Water, wastewater rates to increase starting July 1

The 2% increase is to match inflationary costs, city says.

Water and wastewater rates in the City and Borough of Juneau will soon be increasing.

On Tuesday the CBJ utilities office announced that beginning July 1 the water and sewer utilities rates will increase by 2%, as outlined in an ordinance passed by the Assembly in 2019. The rates will increase an additional 2% in July 2024.

The city cited inflationary costs as the reason for the increases. Revenue generated from the increase will go toward operating and maintaining major water and wastewater infrastructure systems, along with other projects related to the city’s water and sewer utilities.

For perspective, flat residential water and sewer customers in Juneau will see their base rate per month for water increase from $39.14 to $39.92 — a 78-cent increase. The change in rate per month for wastewater would be from $101.96 to $104 — a $2.04 increase.

According to Katie Koester, the director of CBJ’s Engineering and Public Works Department, the city’s wastewater treatment facility is aging and needs “a lot of love” to keep it up to standards.

She said the funding from the increase will go toward the long list of capital improvement

projects for the facility and the “endless” list of maintenance it needs.

She said though the 2% increase was passed by the Assembly in 2019, inflation already rapidly outpaced it.

“The reality is 2% is not keeping up with inflation or the maintenance needs at the plan,” she said. “That conversation is going to happen in the coming years.”

In the past, voters have approved funding for CBJ utilities as part of a temporary 1% sales tax. However, the funding was not included in the most recent election and will have to wait until the five-year cycle of the tax and the rates expire.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 23

Here’s what to expect this week.

A person departs Bartlett Regional Hospital on July 26, a day after a board of directors meeting raised issues about the hospital’s leadership and quality of care, with then-CEO David Keith resigning a week later. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
New Bartlett CEO has lots of experience with mergers, transitions as hospital confronts struggles

Meanwhile former CEO still getting paid for post-resignation ‘transition’ despite leaving the state.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Former Coppa Cafe co-owner Marc Wheeler and current owner Maddie Kombrink smile for a picture at the downtown cafe Wednesday morning. Last week the cafe celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
‘It’s a wonderful milestone’: Coppa Cafe celebrates a decade of service in Juneau

Ten years is just the beginning, says current and past owners.

Ian Worden addresses Bartlett Regional Hospital’s board of directors via Zoom during a meeting Tuesday night where he was subsequently hired as the new interim chief executive officer. He is expected to begin the job within a month. (Screenshot from Bartlett Regional Hospital video)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, during unusual board meeting, makes yet another interim CEO hire

Longtime Seattle-area executive unanimously chosen as hospital’s third leader in past two months.

Lt. Krag Campbell with the Juneau Police Department smiles for a photo Tuesday evening outside of City Hall. Campbell is one of two finalists seeking the chief position at the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau officer seeking department’s top spot says 21 years in community an asset

Lt. Krag Campbell one of two finalists for chief of police.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat who became the first Alaska Native in Congress a year ago, discusses issues and adjusting to the national political scene on Sept. 8 as part of a three-day visit to Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A year after surprising victory, Peltola a popular target in Congress

Spending 9/11 with Biden, being top target of GOP now part of job while dealing with family matters.

Most Read