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City increases water rates

By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - The city council approved a resolution Nov. 3 to increase residential water rates.

In compliance with an established interlocal agreement with the city of Tampa, it endorsed a $1.77 fee increase, which will be spread over three years, for each 1,000 gallons of water used by its consumers.

The resolution is retroactive to Nov. 1.

This year's increase is 72 cents. The rate will go up 62 cents on Oct. 1, 2010, and by 43 cents on Oct. 1, 2011.

The previous cost was $6.47 per 1,000 gallons.

"Tampa rates to the city (Temple Terrace) are increasing on those same dates, and the city is simply passing the cost through to the customer," said Diane Reichard, Temple Terrace finance director.

She estimated the increase will generate about $539,000 in fees next year for the city of Tampa, which owns and maintains wastewater treatment facilities that serve Temple Terrace.

"It's been our goal to establish our own wastewater treatment plant, but so far we've failed to get a DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) permit for wet weather discharge," said City Manager Kim Leinbach.

To earn the permit, municipalities must show they have sewer operations in place to adequately handle significant amounts of rainfall. If not, it could cause damage to the treatment system or cause an overflow of raw wastewater.

Councilwoman Alison Fernandez, who serves on the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board, said Temple Terrace is not alone in trying to obtain authorization to move forward with its own treatment plant.

"We are not being singled out," she said. "DEP is not giving permits for any wet weather discharge efforts."

Mayor Joe Affronti, however, said the city is notbacking down.

"We just want everyone to know we have not given up on it."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

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