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Water And Sewer Rate Hikes Await Columbus Residents

Next year, Columbus residents will pay $5 more on average for their water and sewer service. But Assistant Columbus Utilities Director Joe Lombardi says water and sewer rates will increase by a lower percentage than the rate hikes approved for this year.

Last year bills rose almost five percent, and they've increased in each of the last several years to fund system upgrades and comply with consent decrees over sewage overflows.

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Lombardi says the 20 percent discount program is available for low-income residents who meet state and federal assistance guidelines. He says people age 60 and over are also eligible for a 20 percent discount. About 5,600 homes are taking advantage of the program this year. City Council is expected to approve the rate increases at tonight's meeting.    

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.
Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.