The Water Department is operated as an enterprise system and as such must cover all costs through water rates and fees. After careful examination of the Department's budget, financial obligations and revenue projections, the Board of Water Commissioners voted to increase water rates for FY2010.  The combination of rising costs and decreasing revenue led to the rate adjustment.

The Water Department budget was developed based on guidelines set by the Finance Committee and despite efforts to the contrary, it increased by 5.5 % as compared to FY2009.  The primary reasons for this are: