CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Chesapeake residents will have to pay more on their water and sewage bills this year.
An annual rate increase went into effect on Jan. 1. However, some residents said they’d already noticed their bills going up before the new year.
The city’s website states the new water rate structure service charges are increasing to $22.08 starting in 2024.
The sewage rate structure has also changed. That charge is up 42 cents from October, bringing it to $15.20.
The service charge is a flat fee for every customer. After that, you’re billed for how much water you use.
Some Chesapeake resident say their bills are already too high.
“Not just me, my neighbors noticed it too,” said Freda Boone, a Chesapeake resident. “You’re just frustrated and you complain about it but you got to pay it!”
The water usage rate for the first 10 CCF went up to $4.37 as of Jan. 1 — that’s 12 cents more than last October’s charge of $4.25. And the rate goes up past that point to $9.32 per CCF.
CCF is a measurement used to determine the amount of water a home uses. According to the city, 1 CCF is equal to 748 gallons.
According to the city's website, the changes in October were not a rate increase — just a change in how rates are charged. The increase that took effect on Jan. 1 was a planned annual 2.9% increase.
Residents say every penny adds up.
“My husband and I are both retired. He’s a disabled vet. The bills just keep constantly [going up] - taxes and taxes - it’s just crazy,” said Yvonne Parker, another Chesapeake resident. “And we don’t use that much water! Only in the summer when you pressure wash your house or water the grass, but you’re not doing it in the winter.”
The city’s website reports each billing cycle covers about 60 days of water use.