WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Dothan addressing proposed sewer rate increase

Dothan addressing proposed sewer rate increase

Posted by: Daniel Curtis - bio | email

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - The city of Dothan held its first of two public meetings to discuss proposed sewage rate increases Tuesday.

The rate increases are being driven by a $50 million wastewater treatment plant project that expands a current plant and decommissions another that's violating its permit.

Around 27,000 people in Dothan pay a $1.05 for every 1,000 gallons of wastewater they use.

That rate hasn't increased in 20 years and officials say it's costing the city money.  They estimate the sewer system has lost close to $80 dollars in the last ten years.

To make up the costs they're proposing an increase of .75 cents a year over five years.

Adding to the discussions the city is expanding a current wastewater plant and closing another due to federal lawsuits over permit violations.

Part of the project is trying to get back ahead of the game, anticipating more regulations from the state," says Roscell Stringer, wastewater treatment supervisor.

The expansions at the Little Choctawhatchee Wastewater Treatment Plant will double the structures and the capacity of wastewater the plant can handle.

The city is holding another meeting Thursday at the Dothan Civic Center at 6pm.

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