RIDGELEY, W.Va. — Water and sewage rates are going up, but for many households in town the amount of their bills will actually decrease.

“Right now we’re at a 3,000 gallon minimum, but with the new ordinances we will be changing to a 2,000 gallon minimum,” said Mayor Richard Lechliter. “So the minimum cost will be $48.96, compared to the $55.37.”

For 2,000 to 10,000 gallons per month, the water rate will be an additional $10.10 per 1,000 gallons and anything over 10,000 gallons will be an additional $7.50 per gallon.

For the next 2,500 gallons, there will be an additional $8.55 per gallon sewer rate and $5.25 for anything over 4,500 gallons per month.

And the break even point would be use of 2,350 gallons per month, putting rates at the same cost of the old water and sewer rates, Lechliter added.

Councilman Tom Hedrick said approximately one-third of Ridgeley households will actually experience a decrease in their water and sewer bill.

Some residents attending Tuesday’s town meeting questioned why the rates needed to change.

Lechliter said last summer West Virginia’s Public Service Commission came to Ridgeley at the town’s request and looked through the city’s files. In September the PSC sent a letter of recommendation to the town advising them of the rates they should enforce.

“If we don’t go with the rates they recommend, we will no longer qualify for any state or federal grants,” Lechliter said.

Councilman Jim Twigg said by cooperating with the PSC, the community and town will be saving money in the long run by being eligible for help from the state and federal governments.

“I know I’ll be paying more,” he said, “but what comforts me is that this increase is not a significant amount and for many people, their bill is actually going to go down.”

The mayor and council members approved both the second and third readings of the water and sewer ordinances. The new rates will go into effect July 1.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.