May 27--Morgantown residents may see an increase in their water bills in 2012. The Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) has proposed a 57-percent hike in combined water and sewer rates to help cover the costs of almost $68 million in construction projects in the area.

The rate increases would go into effect after the construction is completed, according to a MUB report. MUB presented its report to the Morgantown City Council on Tuesday.

Council was meeting as a committee of the whole. No official action was taken.

Combined, the water and sewer rates will increase 57 percent, but water rates alone will increase 99 percent, according to the report. Currently, residents pay $8.98 per month for 4,500 gallons of water. Beginning in 2012, the charge would be about $18.

According to the MUB report, 82 percent of the proposed increase is necessary to complete the water treatment plant expansion, estimated to cost $34 million.

MUB General Manager Jim Green said they are trying to tell people of the increase as soon as possible, so it's not a shock when it occurs. By telling people about the rate hike, it allows residents to budget so they can be ready for the change, he said.

"It's really not easy to swallow, and I understand that," Green said. "But, you have to bite the bullet."

The rate would be a one-time increase and not one that would be phased in over time. Green said he feels residents would rather hold on to their money now and budget for the increase, rather than paying an increase now and then face another a year later.

Green did point out that even with the increase, MUB will still have the state's lowest water and sewer rates.

City Councilmembers said they know residents will not be happy with the rate increase, but they understand it must be done so MUB can complete the construction projects it needs.

"Nobody wants to increase rates," Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice said.

The fact that Morgantown will still have the lowest rates in the state will help ease some of the sticker shock people will have when they first hear of the rate increase, Justice said.

Councilman Charlie Byrer said he feels the residents are going to want the rate phased in over time instead of one big jump. For those on a fixed income, the rate will come as quite a shock.

"We will still have the lowest rates in the state and that is fine," he said. "But it's still a chunk of change."

Green described the construction project as "big time" and MUB has been planning for two years which projects should be done.

The projects are in two groups, wastewater and water projects. The wastewater projects include Cobun Creek pump station upgrades and odor control. The water projects include water treatment plant expansions, new water tanks in Wiles Hills and waterline improvements throughout Morgantown.

Anytime construction projects are done, they are going to create a headache for someone, whether it's local residents or drivers, Justice said. But, MUB has done a good job at scheduling the projects when WVU students are gone.

One part of the construction plan is for odor control at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Many Star City residents have complained about the plant's odor.

Green said MUB wanted to wait on the odor control until they upgraded the plant, but enough people asked for it, so MUB put it in this construction plan.

When contacted, Star City Mayor Allen Sharp said he is happy odor control was included in this plan. He said the issue was in the top five for concerns for Star City residents.

"It's just great something is going to be done," Sharp said.

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