On top of water rate hike, Augusta slaps fee on card users

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Days after announcing a 4.5% rate increase just before Christmas, Augusta Utilities announced another change that will raise costs for some customers.

Beginning Jan. 1 when the rate increase takes effect, customers paying online using a credit card will also be responsible for credit card processing fees, the city announced Friday – two days after the holiday.

“This policy change reflects an effort to manage rising operational costs while maintaining our commitment to providing quality service to our customers,” the city said in an announcement.

The rate hike and credit card fee come three months after the water system was shut down for days in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene so the system could be repaired.

“The credit card processing fee will appear as a separate line item at checkout, ensuring full transparency,” the city said in its announcement.

There is no fee for paying by check, money order, or cash.

The rate hike, approved by the Augusta Commission, “is necessary to address rising operational costs, infrastructure upgrades, and ongoing investments to ensure the long-term reliability of Augusta’s water system,” the city said Monday in a news release issued just before the Christmas holiday.

For the average residential customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month, the change will mean an increase of about $2.23 each month, the city said.

CITY STATEMENT

Rate increase: You can go online to learn more

1. “Augusta Utilities values transparency and is committed to keeping customers informed,” the city of Augusta said in a news release. “Additional details about the rate adjustment, including FAQs and resources to help manage water use and reduce costs, are available at https://www.augustaga.gov/2771/Utilities or by contacting our customer service team at 706-821-1851.”

“This rate adjustment reflects our dedication to sustaining a solid water system for current and future generations,” said Utilities Director Wes Byne. “The funds will support critical projects such as pipeline replacements, water treatment upgrades, and emergency preparedness to better serve our growing community.”

A couple of days after Helene hit the city on Sept. 27, city officials said the water system had to be shut down because too much debris was clogging the intake lines. It didn’t help that the pumps were running on generators because the electric service was out.

The outage lasted anywhere from 24 hours to days, depending on a customer’s location, and was followed by a boil order in case dirt and bacteria had seeped into pipes that were under low pressure.

The hike also comes as electric customers are dealing with a series of rate increases from Georgia Power, including a 3.5% hike that takes effect Jan. 1 – on top of separate increases when Unit 3 and Unit 4 went online at Plant Vogtle. There was also an increase in summer 2023 that was blamed on higher fuel costs.

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