MILLSBORO, DE-Neighbors haven't received their first quarterly bill yet, but effective July 1st, Millsboro's water rate increased from $3 per 1,000 gallons to $5.40 per 1,000 gallons for all water and sewer customers of the town.
The town says their last water rate increase was back in 2008 and the price of chemicals to treat the town's water has grown more expensive since then.
But some in town like Diane Wasko says this increase will be too much. "I'm on social security and I can't afford it," she said.
But the town says even with these adjustments, its rate is still one of the lowest in the market.
Sheldon Hudson, Town Manager said, "I haven't run the numbers but I would say the average customer would see an increase of about twenty five to thirty dollars per quarter, which works out to less than ten dollars a month," he said.
People like Amanda O'Brien support the increase. "If that's the only way to better the system, clearly rates can't stay the same," she said.
But this hike is not only affecting residents in Millsboro, it is also going to negatively impact the Town of Dagsboro, which does not have its own water source and buys water through the Town of Millsboro.
Cynthia Brought, Town Administrator says, "It's not in the budget, it's going to put a financial burden on us and it's a devastating impact."
The Town of Dagsboro says this increase may be passed on to the consumer, but they hope to explore other options before this takes place.
Dagsboro says its contract does not end with Millsboro until 2022, Brought explains, but say given the recent financial burden and the lack of communication, hopefully something can be arranged.
The Town of Millsboro says sewer was only increased by 3 cents, so this, combined with water is only a 20% increase for people's combined water and sewer bill.