Communities across southeast Michigan are facing rising water and sewer costs as new rates from the Great Lakes Water Authority take effect this month.

The GLWA Board voted earlier this year to increase wholesale water rates 5.9% and sewer rates 4.5% starting July 1. As a result, municipalities are scrambling to adjust water and sewer rates to cover the increased costs.

The Chesterfield Township Board of Trustees voted 5-2 last week to postpone a decision on increasing water and sewer rates in the community to later this month. The motion was made by Trustee David Joseph and supported by Trustee Hank Anderson at a June 24 regular board meeting. Supervisor Brad Kersten and Trustee Kathy Vosburg voted no.

“I believe we owe it to our residents,” Anderson said. “It might be a bitter pill to swallow this rate, but at least there should be a little more openness, not just discussing like we did tonight at the last minute. I think the public needs to know what’s really involved and move from there.”

The vote to postpone followed a water and sewer rate study presentation from Hubble, Roth & Clark Inc. and discussion of a proposed resolution that would have set new rates in the township starting July 1.

“We are a victim of GLWA and (the Macomb Interceptor Drainage District), and when they raise their prices, we pay for it,” Kersten said.

HRC, the Bloomfield Hills-based engineering firm, recommended the board increase rates for six months before bringing the water and sewer rate discussion into the township budgeting process on an annual basis moving forward.

But some board members questioned the accuracy of the proposed resolution.

“There’s a very good likelihood that the numbers that were presented to us may be skewed and may not be accurate in terms of what the formulations are,” Joseph said.

In addition, any new additional charges would require an ordinance amendment.

“I think we can do better,” Clerk Cindy Berry said.

“I think the township has to look at every available option before we look to place that burden on our residential customers or our commercial customers.”

James Burton, vice president at Hubble, Roth & Clark Inc., said the cost to the township would top $1 million if the board waited until the budget process to adjust rates.

“Any funding gap you would continue to make up in fund balance in the water and sewer fund,” Burton said.

“I think what we’re trying to do is shrink that gap to a reasonable level,” he added. “So for now … everyone pays the same per gallon but at some point we would have to adjust that as well.”

Proposed future changes to water and sewer fees are as follows:

• Per bill charge: A new charge of $4 per bill per quarter.

• Water commodity: The existing rate remains the same at $4.53 per 1,000 gallons.

• Water fixed charge: An increase from $25.32 per readiness-to-serve, or RTS, per quarter to $28 per RTS per quarter.

• Water debt/capital: A new charge of $7.22 per RTS per quarter.

• Sewer commodity: The existing rate remains the same at $6.48 per 1,000 gallons.

• Sewer fixed charge: An increase from $15.98 per RTS per quarter to $18.71 per RTS per quarter.

• Sewer debt/capital: A new charge of $6.21 per RTS per quarter.

• Sprinkler commodity: An decrease from $4.61 per 1,000 gallons to $4.53 per 1,000 gallons.

• Sprinkler fixed charge: An increase from $9.23 per RTS per quarter to $28 per RTS per quarter.

• Fire lines: A new charge of $28 per RTS per quarter.

During public comments, township resident James Lach urged the board to hold a public hearing on the proposed rate increases.

The township board is expected to consider an updated proposal at its July 22 meeting.

In addition to the cost increases from GLWA and MIDD, the township is continuing to invest in water and sewer system improvements.