Water rates to increase

The water bill will be rising over the next few years to accommodate Creston City Water Works’ facilitation of a major renovation project.

Creston City Water Works will increase water rates by 4% each year over the next three years as the utility looks ahead toward developing projects. Rates will begin increasing on July 1.

The first resolution of the year, the minimum charge water rate will be raised on July 1 to $9 per 100 cubic feet. Over the next two years, this rate will increase to $9.36 in 2026, and $9.73 in 2027.

Last week’s water board meeting prepared the water works for the foreseeable future, with an approved $9 million budget for the next fiscal year and the scheduling of a public hearing to give the public the ability to comment on how the waterworks is borrowing money for their projects. The hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 8, at the Creston Water Works office before their regular meeting.

The water works have already approved a major water distribution system improvement project for four areas of Creston. Waterlines will be replaced in the following areas:

- Division 1: Adams Street, from Sumner to Walnut; Division Street, from Adams to Howard; Montgomery Street, from Division to Cherry; Cherry Street, from Montgomery to Mills; Mills Street, from Cherry to Vine; Vine Street, from Mills to Montgomery; Approximately 250′ south of Montgomery Street along Walnut; Approximately 250′ south of Montgomery along Vine (in alleyway); Mills Street, from Division to North; North Street, from Mills to Howard.

- Division 2: Cherry Street, from Mills to Townline.

- Division 3: Mills Street, from Cherry to Ash.

- Division 4: Division Street, from Irving to Seneca; Seneca Street, from Division to Sycamore; the intersection of Irving Street and Oak Street; the intersection of Irving Street and Elm Street.