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Palestine utility rates due to increase

EAST PALESTINE — Rate increases for both the water and sewer utilities are officially in motion.

Council gave first reading to legislation increasing the rates during this week’s meeting. The purpose of the increases is to help cover the cost of system improvements.

If passed, the new water rate would be $14.28 a month for the first 1,000 gallons used, with $3.22 per 1,000 gallons for any additional after that.

The new sewer rate would be $27.32 a month for the first 1,000 gallons used, with $7.86 per 1,000 gallons after that.

Council has been discussing the rates for several months as the village embarks on the new projects to address issues.

The water project will result in an updated water well infrastructure, and is for the purpose of avoiding another water crisis that happened in 2014 when several water lines froze and broke during sub-zero temperatures in January.

The village in turn had to shut down its wells to conserve water, leaving residents without fresh water for nearly a week.

Council has already contracted with MS Consultants to design the roughly $800,000 project.

Meanwhile, the village has a July 1 deadline to show the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency it will begin correcting a sanitary sewer overflow problem in the North Vine Street area.

That project was estimated to cost just under $6 million, and will also be designed by MS.

Two more readings of the legislation are required before a final vote.

kwhite@mojonews.com

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