By Connor Walter Brickel
Boynton Beach utility customers — including residents of Ocean Ridge — will see a 17% increase in their water bills as the city prepares to meet new regulatory requirements and pay for water infrastructure upgrades.
The City Commission approved the rate increase on Sept. 16 following an earlier discussion at its Sept. 8 meeting.
The new rates were to take effect Oct. 1 and cover water, wastewater, storm water and reclaimed water. The wastewater and other rates don’t apply to most island residential customers, as they have their own septic systems.
Boynton Beach has a contract to provide water to the town of Briny Breezes. The bill is reimbursed by Briny Breezes Inc., which covers the cost through residents’ quarterly assessments.
Gulf Stream has also signed a contract with the city for bulk water services. The town has been receiving its water from Delray Beach. The switch is expected to take place sometime next year after a pipe connecting the city’s water to the town is installed.
Ocean Ridge, whose residents have water meters and are billed directly by the city, has a contractual agreement with Boynton Beach that keeps its residents from being charged a 25% premium that the city assesses to other customers outside of the city. Instead, they are charged inside the city rates.
The previous in-city base charge was $16.32 a month. Those customers also paid $2.19 per 1,000 gallons for the first 7,000 gallons.
The new monthly in-city base charge has risen to $19.13 with a rate of $2.56 per 1,000 gallons for the first 7,000 gallons.
The city says the new rate adjustments will provide enough revenue to complete capital improvement projects and invest in water treatment.
The regulatory requirements to treat PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, at the two plants are one reason for the increase, Utility Director Poonam Kalkat said. PFAS are commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
“That’s what’s driving the infrastructure costs. Our consultants have looked at what the probable cost for implementing this PFAS treatment at both plants is going to be, and that’s close to $300 million,” Kalkat said at the Sept. 8 meeting.
While displaying a graph, Boynton Beach’s rate consultant, Ryan Smith, told the commission that the adjustments would remain 19% under inflation and that the city had identified approximately $30 million in grants and other proceeds that were available to offset residents’ costs.
City Manager Daniel Dugger urged the commission to approve the resolution so the city could stay proactive in complying with federal regulations.
“Safe drinking water is not political. If you don’t raise rates, and something catastrophic happens, you all will be held responsible.” Dugger said at the Sept. 16 meeting.
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